Our school district limits gifts to teachers to a value of no more than $5. Personally, I know that many teachers spend lots of their own money for things they use in the classroom so I try to put in something that is for "fun" and meets the $5 criteria and then I add a game or book that can be used in the classroom or a gift certificate to a place like Staples where the teacher can purchase items they need.
Our PTO doesn't do holiday gifts. We do provide each teacher with an allotment to purchase materials for use in the classroom.
Every December, our PTO has a Teacher and Staff Appreciation Luncheon in our school library. The PTO pays for meat, tableware, decorations, and small gifts for the teachers and staff. This year we spent $4 per person and we have 65 people to buy for. We never spent that much before but we feel that everyone works so hard for our school and our children. We spend our hard earned money how we see fit, and our principal always gives us her input.
