The 8 best Groupon deals in Charlotte at this very minute

But the holidays are coming up, so I have this sinking feeling that I’m going to have to stop lurking and actually start considering. Here are the eight best Charlotte Groupons right now.

See a movie at Studio Movie Grill

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve bought and used this Groupon. I don’t even bother looking at the menu – where else can you see a movie for $5? But, if you get stressed out thinking about how you’re going to sneak candy into the theater without being caught, check out the menu and spend what you saved on the ticket on impressively good pizza.

You should know that you can’t use it for movies at 5:00 p.m. or after Friday through Sunday.

The verdict: There actually isn’t a verdict, but trust me: it’s a good deal.
Price: $5
Save: 51%
Limited time remaining, but I’ve used this more than I’d like to admit over the last year or so, and that was always the time frame. ‘Limited time remaining’ is not a thing.

Laugh until you cry playing Bubble Soccer

Watch this video and tell me you don’t want to try this.

The verdict: There is none, but if you need one, try this.
Price: $125 for an hour-long facility rental for up to 8 or $175 for a birthday party package for up to 10 kids.
Save: up to 38%
Limited time remaining, but don’t bust your bubble getting there (LOL).

Tapas at Sydney’s Martini and Wine Bar

I wasn’t sold on this because I’m not a martini person (but I am a wine and small plate person) until they mentioned that their small plates are perfect for sharing or “making others uncomfortable while you eat and they don’t.” That’s definitely the kind of vibe I’m after when I’m eating and drinking.

The verdict: 85% of 74 customers recommend
Price: $11 for $20 or $22 for $40 worth of tapas for two or more
Save: 45%
Limited time remaining, so… it’ll be here when you get around to it next week.

Drink wine at a painting class

For the past year and a half, I’ve promised myself that I’d get around to doing this. But here we are, a year and a half later with no painting to show for it, mainly because it’s always been out of my price range and I’m a terrible artist. But Wine and Canvas will get the creative juices flowing with wine and specialty cocktails. Bonus: they provide the supplies.

The verdict: 96% of 48 customers recommend
Price: $17 for a class for one or $32 for a class for two
Save: 54%
Limited time remaining, so… you’ve got time.

Take yoga classes

“Yoga is unique in that it is the only medieval physical-fitness art that does not involve firing crossbows at a grendel.  Bend and stretch sans monsters with this Groupon.”

I love shooting things. I’m good with a gun, better with a crossbow (I shot an arrow straight through the middle of a donut this summer), but I’m also into physical fitness that doesn’t involve wielding a scary amount of power.

The verdict: 97% of 35 customers recommend
Price: $19 for 5 classes, $35 for 10 classes, or $49 for one month of unlimited classes
Save: up to 77%
Limited time remaining, so take your time.

Get a Yoga & Fitness Passport

ClassPass changed my life and I can’t recommend that sort of program enough. I love the gym and I love to sweat, but the gym just gets… routine. Once you’ve done your workout once, you’ve done it a thousand times. The great thing about programs like ClassPass and Yoga & Fitness Passport is that your workout never has to feel the same. Y&F gives you access to studios like Dojo Body & Mind Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing & Fitness, Healing Strength Personal Training, and Yoga with Raha and Friends.

More than that, it’s ridiculously affordable on Groupon.

The verdict: 79% of 224 customers recommend
Price: $20 for 30 yoga and fitness classes
Save: 93%. Yeah.
Limited time remaining. Relax. Take your time.

Re-learn the instrument you convinced your mom to let you quit

I don’t have many regrets, but quitting piano at the tender of age 11 is definitely up there. I was good, and because I’ve been #blessed with big hands, my reach was impressive. I also enjoyed it.

But kids are mean, and I quickly realized that in the world of big, bad fourth graders, playing the piano is really, really lame. So I quit.

Don’t be like me. Try it again and don’t quit this time. Or learn something new. Your options are piano, guitar, or bass.

The verdict: 100% of 14 customers recommend
Price: $20 for two 30-minute lessons or $49 for four 30-minute lessons
Save: up to 60% off
Limited time remaining. You don’t scare me, Groupon.

Perfect the art of beer or wine making

How many people can say they’ve done something like this? Be one of them and have a really cool story to tell over the holidays.

The verdict: There are no reviews on this one, so do with that what you will. (Take a chance.)
Price: $39 for a four-hour beer-making class for one, $55 for a four-hour beer-making class for two, $45 for a two-hour wine-making class for one, or $69 for a two-hour wine-making class for two
Save: up to 63% off

The one thing I buy on Groupon (other than movie tickets) are trips. Have you ever scoured the Getaways section? It’s impressive.

I was sitting at lunch two years ago when Groupon snuck into my inbox with a handful of air-inclusive trips that I couldn’t look away from. Four months later, I was on a plane to Iceland.

Groupon knows what its doing when it comes to travel. I have nothing bad to say about my experience: the plane was comfortable, the hotel was nice, and the included tours left me memories of a lifetime. So try it.

Stay in Savannah for a weekend

I’ve been in love with Savannah since I visited for the first time in August. The weekend was too short – so short that we considered not coming home. On our way out, we passed the Thunderbird and immediately regretted hitting the road.

Good thing I have a reason to go back now. Bonus: they offer free popcorn, lemonade, and Krispy Kreme donuts. And you can bring your dog, who’ll get a bed, bowls, food and treats, shampoo, and tags.

The verdict: 78% of 55 customers recommend
Price: $45/night for a Two-Double Room, $48/night for a standard King room.