Am I too nice...how do I stop being a pushover and get some respect?

My best friend is 20 and she had a home-warming party at her parent's house before she moved into her first, new place. Anyhow, our friend gave her a nice toaster, someone else gave her a nice alarm clock...when it came my turn, I thought she would love her gift. I got her a heap of practical things she could use for her new place (tea towels, dish cloths, cookie jar, baking pan, practical kitchen utensils, and much more). Well she made a point of mocking every thing that came out of the gift bag..."dish clothes..wow", she said. She also said, "I'm not going to bake cookies so why do I need a cookie jar?" Being such a 'nice' girl, I said 'well, you can use it for other things". I didn't know why she was giving me such grief. Why do you think she behaves this way in front of others but when were are alone and everyone is gone, she has my full attention and respect. I don't understand. Please help! I was totally mortified. In fact, I am due to go overseas for a trip and before there was mention of getting together to send me off but now everyone has scratched that idea. P.S. there were guys at the party too and that made it so much more mortifying.