Gifting to people you know can be risky as you have expectations of them. If you make something specifically for someone, you would like them to acknowledge that effort. However, if you give to charity, you might not have that expectation; it might be easier on the ego. I do both, and have been pleasantly surprised by the reception a gifted quilt has triggered. My cousin, for example, keeps a quilt I made her on her dining room table covered with a piece of plexiglass because she wants to see it all the time and show it off. Another keeps hers at the foot of her bed for the same reason. Over time, these instances far outweigh the ho hum receptions and make gifting worth while to me.