I was just curious, do any of your groups hold a Christmas party (catered by restaurant) and give your staff/teachers/bus drivers gifts? Our PTO will be handing out approximately 70 gift certs that value $20 each.

Is this the norm? Our teachers will also be getting an extra $50 for supplemental instructional materials.

When we approved the budget I didn't have a problem, now that I am researching places to purchase I started thinking about the money we are spending (especially after we served them a dinner two weeks ago--where everyone brought a dish in, and then we gave gifts to the staff for staff appreciation...and in the spring we will have another dinner for staff with a small gift).

Thanks for your input....I believe in supporting our teachers and really don't want to take away from them. Is this about the same that everyone does?
Thanks!