When you’re in the Heart of Houston©️, it’s easy to make Valentine’s Day special for others.
The businesses of the Spring Branch District offer an array of unique gifts and experiences for a variety of interests, at a variety of prices, for the Feb. 14 holiday.
Say it with flowers
In The Garden
From delivery-only places to flower/gift shops, the Spring Branch District has your flower needs covered with Spring Branch Florist, 1657 Gessner Rd., Jenny’s Flower Shop, 9819 Long Point Rd., Fleurals Flower Delivery, 9144 Spring Branch Dr., and Freedom Floral, 8209 Long Point Rd., to name a few.
Hidden on a quiet back street just off busy Blalock Road, you can find locally grown specialty plants, garden accessories, artisan works and gifts at In The Garden. Set up in a bungalow at 1405 Cedar Post Lane, the experience of visiting In The Garden is a gift in itself.
Traditional fountains merge with fantastical creations, and pathways lined with vintage furniture lead you through various vignettes. Take a walk “In The Garden” and maybe take a few moments to rest with your partner (or with your thoughts) on an antique bench before picking out a special something in the gift emporium.
Lasso the (Indigo) moons
Indigo Moons
Along with chocolates and flowers, jewelry is a popular item for Valentine gift giving, and the Spring Branch District has you covered with several outlets for beautiful wearables. But have you ever considered gifting a black amber heart?
At Indigo Moons, 1900 Blalock Rd., you will find a wide range of crystals and gems, fossils and specimens, as well as silver and gemstone jewelry.
“This is the season to plant seeds of love and deepen heart to heart connection with self, relationships and universal love,” Indigo Hearts explains in a flyer for an upcoming event at the shop.
You can gift yourself, a loved one or bring your partner to the Art From the Heart Sacred Rose + Cacao Ceremony, scheduled to take place the weekend before Valentine’s Day at Indigo Moons, where participants will explore their hearts’ emotions with art and plant medicine.
Massages and treats for your partner or your pup
Yang Sheng Foot Spa offers couple massages at 1043 Blalock Rd., as do a number of other spas in the Spring Branch District. But what if your pup is the true love of your life?
Pawse Canine Wellness, located in Paw-radise Pet Spa, 6615 Long Point Rd., offers trigger point massage, therapeutic massage and Reiki for dogs.
Want to also get your fur baby a special edible treat? Guy Benham of Jessie’s Bites, a popular Spring Branch Village Market vendor, said their Christmas boxes were such a huge hit, they’ve decided to offer Valentine’s Day boxes with heart-shaped treats for your dog. And, he said, they will be offering various sizes, including small ones ideal for sharing as puppy valentines at doggie day care.
Unique tastings
Nice Winery
Houston’s first commercial production estate wine vineyard inside the city limits — Nice Winery — offers fun and educational tastings for groups with a minimum of two people at the winery, 10520 Westview Dr. Wines are served with six chef-crafted accompaniments, specific to each wine.
Prefer to belly up to the bar? Might as well head to Might as Well Lounge and Boozenasium at 8518 Long Point Rd. Play a game of pool and enjoy a cocktail while playing “your song” on the jukebox. They might even offer up free hot dogs.
At Diversión Cocktails, 7202 Long Point Rd., you can order up a Movie Night — the drink, not the experience. Featuring Sercial Madeira, cognac, bitters and strawberry, Movie Night even comes with popcorn and a film!
At the Marq’E Entertainment Center, 7600 Katy Freeway, enjoy a traditional movie night at the cinema, followed up with dinner at one of the many tasty restaurants in the entertainment center, and a delectable dessert (or the house speciality crepes) and coffee at nearby Dolce & Café, 7670 Katy Freeway.
Art in the ‘HeART of Houston’
At upscale Korean barbecue restaurant BORI, 1453 Witte Rd., you can take in visual masterpieces before, during or after your meal at the restaurant’s adjoining art gallery.
At Selfie WRLD, back in the Marq’E Entertainment Center, you’re the subject of your own (Instagrammable) photo art. The “Feelings Room” is an ideal backdrop for your Valentine’s Day selfie shoot.
Be a lover and a fighter
Diversion
Whether you have gone through a breakup recently or just like smashing things, bring a friend or your partner to Tantrums, 1730 Elmview, where you can take a sledgehammer to whatever “room” your heart desires.
At Sword to Sword, 1212A Cedar Post Lane, give the unique gift of historical sword-fighting lessons.
Get lost in a book(store)
Looking for something a little more low-key than breaking discarded TV sets? Head over to Becker’s Books, 7405 Westview, where you can get lost among the stacks and stacks of books. Read independently or together, or pick up a book or two for a gift.
Make your own experience
In the Spring Branch District, you can bring any vision of a special surprise to life.
Recently, a Spring Branch resident contacted the District staff for help in finding a cellist to surprise his wife with their special song.
Spring Branch District fine arts school Campbell Learning Center, 1440 Campbell Road, came through with a musician who was able to perform a socially distanced, outdoor performance in the couple’s backyard — a heartwarming moment to remember in the Heart of Houston©️.
— by Dorothy Puch Lillig
