To start with I only make things that I want to make. If I give one as a gift, I always give something I've purchased along with it (which means NO huge or complicated quilts are gifts)!
When quilts pile up though I invite my friends and family and tell them to pick out anything they'd like (or not). It works for me because no one is disappointed!
My mother just gives things away. I had to get over that a long time ago, again I've made them because I wanted to and at least someone will get to use them.