There's just some things that you have always done and forget that it could be a tip to someone else!
About 20 years ago, I was looking through a catalog where it had a plastic 'Salad Bar' you could use for outdoor BBQ's, Birthday Parties etc. to keep your chilled food cold. It looked like a child's pool with ice in it instead of water. I think it was around the price of $24.99. I figured I could save money and just buy a child's pool and use it for my 'Salad Bar'.
I buy the one you have to blow up and it's only the 1 ring type. I just bought one the other day at Wal-Mart for $2.67 for an upcoming family get-together. My girlfriend thought it was a brilliant idea and I'm thinking 'I thought everyone knew that'! I decorate mine like the restaurants do and keep it full of ice.
You can get tons of ideas looking through catalogs.