I think it kind of depends. I made quilts for my kids for Christmas and my daughters use theirs all the time. I have no idea about the one I made my son and DIL. He was showing me some stuff he had done in the master bath and the quilt was no where to be seen. Maybe they use it, but maybe not, they are very minimalist in their decorating so who knows. But yes, that did bug me a bit, but of course I didn't say anything.
I didn't hear whether my FIL liked the quilt I made him for quite awhile, but my husband said he asked and I guess he has it with him all the time. The nurses have to put it on him in his chair and over his bedding at night. It has become a sort of security thing I guess. That makes me happy.
You want your work to be appreciated. I think most of the time it is, but not always in the way you expect.