Christmas Gift Etiquette Help (5th & 6th graders)

[whiskeytails]

I'm not sure etiquette is really the right word.

Quick background:
My in-laws live in a different state, so I don't see them often. My husband will see them when he travels for work, but he is pretty useless on the gift front (I know from experience). His sister is married and has twin girls who are almost 3 as well as a 6th grade girl and 5th grade boy from her husband's previous relationship. They are poor and live off of government assistance. She does odd jobs, he gets SSI for a "disability". They may or may not sell drugs. They always have a new TV, computer & game system. We never ask why or how.

This year my husband and I agreed at Thanksgiving time that we would get his sister's family a 1 year Netflix gift card. It made sense at the time, as we aren't familiar with the kids needs/wants. They always seem to have enough stuff.. I don't ask how, but they never really get to go places, so I thought this would be nice to have.

I was going to buy the gift code and put it with a basket of popcorn & candy. Now my husband is worried that the older kids will be sad to not have anything to open. He wants me to get them something little to open as well, but again, we don't know what. The Netflix will be ~$100 plus $20 for popcorn/candy/basket. 

So I guess my questions are, if you have 5th & 6th graders, would they be disappointed with this family gift? Would you be?

[pamela]

I think the disappointment would only stem from past expectations. However, do whatever you think is right for the family.

[Deleted]

If the kids are given reign over the Netflix for any period of time then they will probably love it. If the mom/dad are strict with tv or don't allow them control over any of the shows they may not enjoy it as much. I guess this would be family specific.
I think having something to open would be a bigger deal if everyone else had something specifically for them and these two were left out. That doesn't appear to be the case so I think you are fine.

[Deleted]

I don't think there is anything wrong with a family gift. Every individual person does not need a gift to open.