I do still give my creations away - BUT I am very selective.
The three quilts I gave last year are GREATLY loved. Thet are all well used and lovingly maintained.
Here is the back story of this -
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-74128-1.htm
about halfway down.
The three quilts that I helped the kids make for Christmas for their parents were THE biggest hit with everyone. The parents were beyond thrilled and the most joy was from the kids. They were so excited to give them away. We had everyone at one house with all three families. The kids were more interested in GIVING their presents than opening theirs. By the end of the morning, all of the grown-ups were crying and the kids were showing everyone their special squares. I think that was the most wonderful Christmas I have had in a long time.
As far as underappreciated gifts - the topper has to be my now-deceased MIL. She would find the Christmas Cross-Stitch Yearbooks, mark the items she wanted me to make her and then give me the book for Christmas. I did make two of these things for her - a Santa face tree skirt and a wall hanging of a full length Santa. Her response for both were the same - 'Oh, I thought it would be [bigger] [prettier] [more realistic].' And I never saw them again until we were going through her stuff after she died. It makes me sad that I tried so hard to please here and she didn't appreciate any of it.