I think people get embarrassed and uncomfortable with hand made, thoughtful gifts.
If it is a gift that is bought, then they can detach from it somehow.
I made a bunch of handmade gifts (emb. holiday dish cloths, hot pads, quilted wallhangings, lap quilts, etc.) and only one or two thanked me or even aknowledged that they had received the item. I had to ASK if they had received the package!!!!
Don't do that any more!!!
And trust me, these were not crappy stuff...
k