I've had to actually insist a couple times when I specifically wanted a little luxury item for the kitchen - something not NEEDED as what we had was working fine, but an upscale or nicer item that I really wanted. And cookbooks. And handy little cooking items. (Yes, I'm a bit into the cooking stuff, but it's something I really enjoy doing)
DH was indignant - "I'm not going to buy you stuff for the kitchen for a gift!!" And I said you'd buy me stuff for any other hobby I liked as a gift, right? Why not for cooking? For him, the dividing line seems to be that if it's something for ordinary kitchen use, it can't be a gift. But if it's something specifically for me to use for fun baking experimental use or a fancy interesting gadget I've asked for, then it's alright. And I'm fine with that. He's the more traditional thinker - gifts means flowers, chocolates, jewellery,and things like that.
I think it's up the individual couple to make their own boundaries on gifts. After all, DH LOVES to get tools (especially power tools, the silly man!) for gifts, but realistically speaking, they're used to do DIY and work on the house... so are they appropriate as gifts? It's all in how you look at it, I guess.