Tip Of The Day: How to rock out with your frock out for less – score cheap Ren Fest tickets, ideas on costuming, but first! How to fit your hobby into the 3 Reasons Why To Buy Challenge.
Bonus – check out the bottom of this post for tips on how to save hundreds of dollars on prescription eye glasses. WAIT! Read the rest of the post please, don’t just scroll down. Thank you.
Tip For The Weekend: Stop by the Minnesota Renaissance Festival this weekend and say hello. My BFF Larue and I will be there, in full costume, whoopin’ it up Big Queen Elizabeth-style. Which isn’t as jiggy as Big Willy-style, but still fun.
Further Elucidation Of My Cheap Deal: Before we talk about the wherefores of saving on all things Ren Festian, we need to begin with the whys. Why the Ren Fest? Why go in costume? What is my deal, anyway?
3 Reasons Why I Go To Renaissance Festivals/Faires In Costume:
1. It is the realization of a childhood dream. When I was a kid, all I wanted to do was dress up –for Halloween, school plays, trips to the grocery store – but especially for the Renaissance Festival. I swore to myself, “Self, when you grow up, you’re going to wear costumes for EVERYTHING.” I grew out of the need for constant costuming (okay, maybe not), but I retained the deep desire to dress for the Fest.
2. Festivals and Faires are more fun in costume. To truly get the most bang for your visit, you got to dress up. And the better your costume, the more respect you’ll get from the folks working there. My Ren Fest posse has even scored vendor discounts and better parking spots, just because our costumes rocked.
3. I am a geek. No, really, it’s true. I read fantasy, I watch sci-fi, I’ve even played Dungeons and Dragons a time or two. Dressing up for the Renaissance Festival is simply an off-shoot of that. It’s how I exercise my geeky demons.
Furthermore, wearing costumes to the Fest has become my hobby. And this summer I decided to add making those costumes to my list of hobbies. Which brings up the next question: how can I have hobbies during this year’s challenge? Are hobbies a need, or just an expensive want?
3 Reasons Why You Need Hobbies:
1. They are a creative outlet. Sewing has opened a whole new world of creativity for me –it’s like making art with fabric. And to keep the creative juices flowing in all parts of my life, I can’t stifle one section just because other people think it’s frivolous or a waste of time.
2. They are a HUGE stress reliever. I totally zone out when I sew – and everything bad and nasty just falls away. It’s cheaper than therapy and more entertaining than meditation. Which just makes me sleepy.
3. They can teach you practical skills. Just because I’m sewing costumes right now, doesn’t mean I won’t turn my attention to other, more useful sewing projects. I plan on making Christmas gifts (so I don’t have to bribe Larue into making them for me) and clothes this winter. You know what’s frugal? Making your own clothing, instead of buying it ready-made.
All this brings me to the 3 reasons why I bought what I bought this week: coin trim and black knot-work trim and a Gilligan O’Malley black bra. It was to make this:
Or, I’ve got boobs that jingle jangle jingle.
3 Reasons Why I Need That Jingle Bra:
1. All the really good belly dancers at the Festival wear them, and I want to fit in.
2. The whole bra is hand-sewn and a tricky design to execute, so it’s good sewing practice for me.
3. Come on. Look at how hot that thing is! You know you need one, too. If you’re married, think of how happy it would make your spouse. If you’re single, think of how many heads you’ll turn. It’s like the Renaissance equivalent of black stiletto pumps – and all fashion experts say those are a necessity.
4. Plus, the stuff to make the bra cost well under $20 per item.
If wearing a jingle bra is outside your comfort level, relax. Try this no-sewing option – take a full-length, plain (not a print) prairie skirt and pair it with a loose-neck peasant blouse. Wrap a brightly-colored scarf tightly around your waist, add huge gold hoops and a ton of necklaces and voila! Instant gypsy. Just don’t wear gym shoes, sunglasses or carry a purse. It will totally kill the look. I recommend putting your cash in your bra – sexy!
If attending the Renaissance Festival is outside your banking account’s comfort level, there are ways around that obstacle, too. For this year’s Fest, buy your tickets in advance (i.e. not at the gate) and save $3 per ticket. They’re available at SuperAmerica and Walgreens for $16.95 each.
For next year, register now to become a member of KS95’s Loyal Listener Club. Larue joined a few years ago, and every year since they’ve sent her an offer for buy one, get one free Renaissance tickets. You can purchase an unlimited number, but it is first come, first serve.
One last option – ask your office administrator. I’m amazed at how many businesses offer their employees discount tickets for the State Fair, St. Paul Saints games and the Ren Fest. If your work doesn’t, ask a friend/family member or spouse to check at their offices. If you know enough people, eventually you’ll find someone who can get their hands on discounted tickets.
In conclusion (Finally. God, this post is LONG.), I hope to see you all in costume at the Festival! Be frugal, be fabulous, and be festy, yo.
Cheap And Fabulous Alert!
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I love this site so much, it’s going to be a permanent link on my Links page. Now that’s a sign of devotion.
6 Comments
Another way to score cheap Ren Fest tickets is a Happenings Book. I think every year they have a buy 1 get 1 in there.
To be even more frugal with this idea-trade for coupons on Craigslist. I wasn't using my Ren Fest Happenings ticket this year so I traded it to someone on Craigslist for some restaurant coupons. How's that for frugal?
Mechanical Man would like a photo of, or perhaps a live visit from, the belly dancing Cheap Chick. He LIKIE the jingle bra.
LOVE that damn jingle bra – it's SO AWESOME!!!! I also so love it that you go in costume to the festival. If I could choose a super power, it would be time travel – so I hear ya.
I agree, going to fest in garb is ten times more fun than without it. Although I work there, so no choice in the matter.
I have also taken up the sewing bug recently as well, to make skirts and chemises for my self and my daughter.
I even attempted to make a bodice. Suffice it to say, I had to wander over to Felix's the first weekend to plunk down cold hard cash for a well made (gorgeous) bodice that fits well and doesn't stab the girls/ribs.
For the fellow festies that love to go more than once per season, one can purchase a season pass. Not sure how much, but based on friends comments, well worth the price.
LOVE LOVE LOVE your site. It make me giggle-a lot.
AND it is nice to know I am not alone in being frugal.
Bras like that make me happy to have breasts. Even though they're extremely tiny.
I never made the Cheap Chick/Larue connection in real life! You wenches looked absolutely fabulous at the fair.
Ooooh…Perhaps I should try to make something like that for the Pirate Festival!