For busy moms, there's no better present to give teachers than a gift card. And the recipients will feel the same way. With a little thought (and a nice presentation), your gift will be useful, heartfelt and definitely well received!

Make it interesting. When buying a gift card, think about your teacher’s likes and interests:
Practical teachers: Give a card for classroom supplies, a car wash or a local grocery store.
Music lovers: An iTunes gift card for an albums-worth of songs will be a big hit ;)
Foodie: Think local specialty foods stores, fresh vegetables delivery or a favorite restaurant.
Coffee drinker: Gift a week’s worth of lattes at your local coffee shop, Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts.
Pampering: Purchase a gift card for a for a mani/pedi or local beauty-supply shop.
Small kids at home: Plan a gift of family fun—a gift card for the movies, a craft store or a family-style restaurant.

Make it personal. Include a hand-written note from you and your child with the gift card. Touch on your favorite thing about the teacher and how she's made the year special so far.

Add it on. Attach your gift card to a small themed gift. For example, a coffee shop gift card can come in a reusable mug, a shopping gift card in a reusable tote or a music gift card with a holiday CD.

Wrap it up. A few supplies and a lot of creativity make for some great gift card presentations including DIY snow globes and bouquets! Find more great ideas on Pinterest.

Make it a surprise. Find a fun and unexpected place to surprise your teacher with the card—whether it’s taped to the teachers' lounge refrigerator, her computer or on the seat of her chair.

Go big. Touch base with fellow class parents and find out if they're interested in contributing to a big gift card for the teacher—from the whole class. Bonus: VolunteerSpot's Collect Contributions feature makes it easy for all your parents to contribute online.