"Feed a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime."
Gift them a starter DSLR with a kit lens (wide angle) for Christmas. Let them know you're getting too busy to have time, then sometime during the year, either teach them yourself, or spring for a workshop on how to take family portraits.
They find out what else they can do, get GAS*, and they'll be off to the races.
*GAS=Gear Acquisition Syndrome
Equipment-wise, in addition to the lighting aspect, I'd consider renting (or purchasing) a 35mm f/1.x lens for it's ability to create bokeh (depth of field), its ability to capture multiple subjects, and its propensity to avoid image distortion.