David Letterman -- Drops Thousands on Staff's Parting Gifts

David Letterman's former employees didn't walk away empty-handed this week -- he dropped thousands of dollars hooking them up with ... wait for it ... custom-made letterman's jackets.

Letterman's final gift to his staff have the words, "Thank you and good night" scrawled across the front. Dave scooped up more than 200 of them ... according to the owner of Golden Bear Sportswear.

Dave's been buying staff swag from GBS for 15 years, and the owner tells us they were contacted last winter, after Letterman announced his retirement plan. She says Dave designed the jacket as a final gift.

GBS wouldn't divulge exactly how much Letterman spent, but the jackets run AT LEAST $300 each ... so you do the math.

Safe to say, Dave can afford it.