BOSTON -- You may have had to cut back your holiday spending, but Team 5 Investigates found full stockings on Beacon Hill.

Some politicians freely spent their campaign donations on parties and generous gifts despite the economic crisis.

"We're going to have some very difficult fiscal times ahead," explained new House Speaker Robert DeLeo to his colleagues at the State House.

But there wasn't much belt-tightening for some politicians during the holiday season.

Though DeLeo proudly refers to himself as a "ham and cheese sandwich" kind of guy, a Team 5 Investigates review of his campaign spending records shows he eats a lot better than that --- hosting not one, but three holiday parties for colleagues at a cost close to $10,000.

State campaign finance records show on Dec. 3, DeLeo reported spending $4,363 at Maggiano's in Boston for a holiday dinner with office staff. On Dec. 11, he treated House Ways and Means Committee members to dinner at the Plaza III Steakhouse for $2,721. On Dec. 16, DeLeo's staff enjoyed another holiday party --- this time a luncheon from Spinelli's in East Boston for $2,827.

"That's an inappropriate use of the money," said Tufts Prof. Jeff Berry, an expert on campaign finance issues. "The law says the money should be used to enhance his political career. The people who work for him are employees. He doesn't need to enhance his position with them."

Team 5 Investigates also discovered House Minority Leader Bradley Jones spent $2,066 for a caucus holiday reception at the Avila restaurant in Boston. Four days later, Jones returned to host a leadership staff holiday lunch. The tab for that was $1,168.

On the Senate side, Brian Joyce spent $709 on a staff holiday party at The Melting Pot fondue restaurant.

Sen. Steve Panagiotakos spent $340 at Beacon Hill's 21st Amendment restaurant and another $290 at The Liquor Shop in Lowell on supplies for the Ways and Means Christmas party.

And then there are the gifts.

Rep. Michael Costello spent $450 on staff holiday gifts from Ann Taylor in Cambridge.

Rep. Lida Harkins treated her colleagues to $242 worth of holiday gifts from a Dedham liquor store.

"The money is a war chest and a slush fund," Berry said. "It allows legislators to use their campaign funds to enhance their political career, but often it seems that living well falls within that criteria."

For example, campaign finance records show that DeLeo sent a $100 gift certificate to Senate President Therese Murray for Boston's Moo restaurant. According to the menu, the cheapest appetizer is $12 and filet mignon sells for $46.

Speaking of costly, some politicians spent thousands of dollars on holiday cards.

Team 5 Investigates found Attorney General Martha Coakley paid $12,393, State Auditor Joe DeNucci spent $7,325, and State Treasurer Tim Cahill paid $5,961.