Cecily O'Connor
RedwoodAge.com

Not sure what to buy your parents? Consider a gift card. These cards can prove to fit their needs - and yours - better than just another sweater.

Some baby boomers may fret that a gift card is less personal, but it does afford parents some of the things they crave the most: independence to choose their own gift as well as the comfort of having a little extra cash to spend at their leisure. 

And many older folks are trying to pare down their possessions as they move to smaller homes or apartments. They may be too polite to tell you they don't really want more "stuff." Ask your parents if that's the case.

Gift cards can be applied to so many different stores and services - including travel or phone bills - that boomers may actually find the gesture fulfills other items on their parents' wish lists such as more interaction or time with family. 

In general, gift cards are becoming more popular with shoppers of all ages. In fact, the National Retail Federation predicts that consumers will spend $26.3 billion on gift cards, up 6 percent from last year. There's likely to be less Black Friday crowd-fighting with a gift card purchase, too, and less stress for caregivers during the holidays. 

Here are five gift card ideas to consider for elderly parents:

1. Bon Appetit. A lot of supermarkets, including Safeway and Whole Foods, offer cards that help an older adult ease the financial strain of soaring food prices. Some stores even offer prepared foods, which could come in handy for a parent that has a hard time getting around the kitchen. A slew of restaurants issue gift cards and certificates, too, so your parent could treat themselves to lunch or dinner at their favorite spot. 

2. Retail Therapy. Okay, so maybe your Mom or Dad likes sweaters. Why not give them the flexibility to choose their own, as well as a pair of matching pants? Just about every clothing retailer hawks gift cards that could stretch dollars during the after-Christmas sales. 

3. Mane Attractions. Think about what your parents like to do and how you could reduce some financial burden of that activity. This could include gift cards to pay for weekly hair appointments, as well as a certificate to a theater for a movie or a show on its way to Broadway.

4. Bon Voyage. If you live far from your parent, consider an airline travel gift card so they don't have to worry about timing air fare sales to get the best deal. Or, if they can still travel with relative ease, encourage them to apply the card to a destination they wouldn't normally travel to if they were paying for the trip themselves. 

5. Talk to me. Your mom or dad may love to talk to you on the phone, but just can't afford the expense of frequent calls. Pre-paid phone cards offer a great way to alleviate concern over long-distance minutes. 

And if none of these appeals to you, consider making your own gift certificate. How about one that can be redeemed for a trip to a local museum or an outing to a baseball game? Certificates for home-cooked meals or time with family are also heartfelt stocking stuffers. 

Gift cards aren't foolproof, however, and fees and expiration dates could take away some of their joy by reducing a card's value. So it's important to read the terms and conditions before making a purchase.