I like your attitude!
Many people get so carried away with their hobby(machine emb., quilting,crafts etc.)they forget not everyone's taste is like that. It's not always a matter of not appreciating the work or thought that went into the gift. It's just being overdone. I know people that do emb. that think every gift they give has to be embellished in some way. It gets ridiculous!
If I give you a gift, it's because I WANT to give you a gift. What you do with it after that is your business. you owe me nothing!