I have been happiest giving a quilt when I had the input of the one who was getting it. In each case I told them I would like to make them a quilt, if they wanted one. If they didn't, that was okay too. I let them select the pattern, from 6 or 7 that I said I enjoyed making. I bought the fabric, based on emails back and forth, for three of them.
That worked well, but after that, I left the fabric selection up to the one getting the quilt. Two purchased fabric, based upon the "recipe for a quilt" that I sent them and mailed it to me. (They live many states away.) Four were work friends, and we met for lunch and then headed to the fabric shop where they purchased the fabric and the batting. (I had warned them that making a quilt was not a cheap process. I don't think they believed me until then...)
I think we were all pleased. I knew they would like their quilts and each seemed to enjoy the selection process.
Dina