Before locating clay reserves, the ancient Mayans made pots out of moldable materials such as mud, chewed gum, and impressionable young minds. Mold a clay creation with today's Groupon: for $60, you get a clay date for two at Fired Up Studios (a $120 value).

The experienced staff at Fired Up Studios assist adult beginners in building clay vessels during clay dates, an activity designed to strengthen skills and tighten bonds among friends, acquaintances, and significant others. Over the course of about two-and-a-half hours, sets of two prospective ceramicists jigger and jolly small items using the potter's wheel, the instruction of experienced clay throwers, and the ability to stare at a spinning object without getting hypnotized. At the end of each clay date, each half of each pair gets to pick a glaze and have a piece of clay fired, and it will be freshly kilned and ready for pickup two weeks later.

Clay “dates” are not limited to romantically involved participants. Couples of any sort—be they friends, coworkers, or Castor and Pollux from the Gemini constellation—can partake in the intimate pottery-producing tête-à-têtes. Fired Up Studios supplies students with all necessary materials, but encourages pupils to bring their own beverages, snacks, and clothing that can withstand clay abuse.