How do you feel about very practical gifts?

My question was inspired by this question about gift giving flops. I like getting practical gifts. One jelly mentioned getting a vacuum for her birthday, and if I needed a new vaccuum I would be very happy to get one, especially if it was one that met all my requirements and showed the person knew what I wanted. I have no idea if that jelly even needed a vacuum cleaner, I’m not picking on her answer, her answer just made me think of this new Q.

I know many people think gifts that are about cooking or cleaning are awful gifts, especially for a wife. How do you feel about gifts that are practical? I remember when I moved into my second house we had a house warming and I was given wine, alcohol, chocolates, a really beautiful vase, a frame (both the vase and frame were not cheap, they easily were worth $75 and $40 respectively at retail) and one person gave pyrex baking dishes easily bought at a supermarket. I still have those baking dishes and it was my favorite gift that night along with some plastic cups for the patio that I had actually picked out and a friend bought for me.