When we make lap quilts for the senior center, we wash before presenting them to be sure they will stand up. DDIL washes quilts when she gets them...makes them softer to the touch. DGD gave me a quilt as a Christmas present (Her first quilt) and I use it all the time thinking of her as I stay cozy. Pictures are a good way to keep them perfect. Make a nice large image, frame it and keep it as a memory. Of course, there are quilts one may want to keep from hard usage and if it bothers you to use it so, display it for others to see as you would good art.It is your quilt and you get to call the shots on it. Forgive me for saying give it away as that was insensitive.