This year i was thinking about bulding a tip "jar" for out haunted house. Hey its not cheep putting all this on. Any who, we have alot of people that come every year just to see what we have done or changed or made bigger. i would like to set out a small podium type thing that has a slot for donations. Has any one else tryed to do this? Was it successful? any other advide? i doubt we would get alot, maybe a few pinnies if that. but i would like a way for people who do want to help out or show their appreation to what we do, to be able to do so.

Thanks!!

There's a guy in our area who puts on a great display every year and he does this.  He says it really does help.  Lets face it, gas isn't the only thing that jumped up.  And every little bit, even the pennys, helps defray some cost. 

If I lived in a bigger area I'd think about doing something like this... but alas I live in boo-foo country... so For now the the haunt comes out of pocket... but I do look for ways to cut corners... Scrap wood, throwaways etc... yardsales.  And I do have Aunts, Uncles, and my mom and dad, which help add to it ... by buying a mask, or coming up with ideas etc. Last year one of my aunts actually let me take the iron garden arch out of her front yard... lol.

I don't know for me having a tip jar out makes me feel like I'm begging someone else to help me do my display. I understand the concept, but that's just the way it makes me feel. I do my display for my own pleasure and if someone else likes to come and see it, I'm o.k. with that too.
 I tell you what would push me over the edge for having a tip jar, is some of these people that come up with no costume on, or an extra bag for a sick child at home wanting free candy. That might push me towards a tip jar!

~AA

we are hoping to have an attractive girl holding a tip jar at our haunted trail. every little bit helps!

Like the rest said...

you have to get the attention of the group to get them to donate. Another way would be to have a Grim Reaper pointing towards the collection with a note: "If you loved my handy work, please help me to make it bigger & better next year" "Beware! If you help yourself to the donations, I'll be visiting you sooner than later.. hehehe"

Note*

I've gone through the same thing every year at my haunted maze. Yes, it seems like begging. But, building something is putting part of yourself into it, time, energy, etc. For years I couldn't understand how they (teenagers) had no problem buying a $15 ticket per person at a haunted attraction. But, are stingy about giving even a dollar per head for a donation. Last year I included it (asking for a maze donation) into the Halloween party invite, & got our best donations yet!

I kinda think it depends on what type of haunt you are having. For a yard haunt I feel like Wilkster does. But for a Haunted Trail, or a maze like Haunty does, or anything really interactive, I think it would be all right. I think Haunty has the best idea...to mention it in the invite. That way people can plan on doing it. Of course, if you don't send invites, or advertise...? 

I think it would be a fun idea to have a box like Thing (Addams Family) for a "donation box". Make a note on your sign that you are a "not for profit" haunt and only asking for donations to help pay for electric bills and improving props.

all post are good points, i do a yard dispay untill the day of. on the day of it becomes very interactive. like i say we have fans that come every year just to see how we have out done ourselves this year. i mean check out our website and that will show you just a little but of what we do. im thinking that i will have someone posted at the bottom of the driveway telling our story for this year, and have the box garded so no one takes off with it.