What do you use for a tip jar?

I have a fish tank with lid. I dress it up for the event. The picture below has a skeleton coming out of a grave with spooky tree and black lighting.
[img][/img]

ohwww that is funny... so you can change it every time.... nice idea!

I have an apron and just tuck into that...after having my "regular" kiddos decide they could dip into my tip jar...

Margarine tub I've decorated and cut a slit in - don't want people seeing how much I've been given.

I like the fish tank - very pretty and love the grave stone effect for the halloween pricing

I have a large clear plastic pretzel container. On top of it is a purple-furred "monster" that does a funny little song and wiggles when you press his foot. I taped a large wooden-handled paintbrush into his hands. There's a colorful sign sticking up behind him that says "Tips make me smile. Thank you!"

Kids love to press the button. Grown-ups love to press the button. I love to press the button (and do it after every festival).

I call him "Tippy" and he's become my mascot, and I'd be bummed if he ever disappeared. (Sort of like Tom Hanks talking to his volleyball on that deserted island, but not quite as desperate )

that's cool, I have one of those aquariums downstairs.... hmmm.

Truthfully, I don't use a tip jar very often. I have a large mug with a pic of a clown on it that says "Tips Appreciated" for the rare occasion that I am taking tips.

During the summer I have a ceramic fish with his mouth open and the sign says" Hi I'm Petey the Puffer fish. I breath money please don't let me die."

Cute!

Depends on the situation. At the market where I paint only for tips, I use a clear plastic container that I tape a sign "Tips Appreciated" onto the top of. It's about 7-8 inches high, and 4-5 inches wide, and sits front and centre where it can't be missed. The mouth is not very wide so it isn't easy for people to put their hands in, especially the way I have the sign taped to the top of it.

At PPF events, I just have a small open bowl with no sign. I figure if they're paying, I'm not going to push too hard for tips.

At paid events, I don't use a tip jar at all. Unless they negotiate a lower rate but allow me to collect tips, then I will use the first jar. (Hasn't happened yet.)

Helena, you might be surprised how much better the tips can be when people see what's in there. I got WAY more tips when I started "seeding" my jar with a couple $5 bills and a couple toonies, instead of just loonies as I'd done previously. People look to see what others are giving and they don't want to be seen as miserly. I also take out small change as soon as I am able to, leaving only bills and large coin.

yes, you definitely want to start off your tip jar with 5s and large coin (I suppose if you don't have $1 and $2 coins, you'd just want to seed with small bills). You don't want people tipping you quarters, that makes for a sucky day.

oh okay, that makes sense. I've not really used the tip jar very much - didn't tend to get many tips the couple of times I put it out - maybe that's why

I'll try it next time, with a see-through container too! Will let you know what happens...here's hoping

That's a cool idea!!!

I have a little box that says" tips are always appreciated, and never expected. Thank you for your patronage"

No where NEAR as cute as you guys are! I am going to 'revamp' I think!

And I second the 'seeding'. No tips out means no one will tip ya!

I made mine because a clown friend has one that lights up and make sounds when someone puts money in but the guy that makes them wants $75 for them. So I googled fun tip jars and got the fish idea and in one of the stories that had pictures of these it said that funny ones attract more attention than plain ones.