For simplicity, anything single mode. I know from giving too many expensive flashlights as gifts, that just about anything else goes unappreciated by anyone who hasn't spent at least an hour on CPF. Honestly, aside from having to check the tailcap and head every now and again to make sure they're tight, the new LED maglite solitaires have been the best friend of most of my family members. Before that, with dozens of lights gifted over the years, the only ones anyone can seem to find are the those that were attached to something important.
As far as anything super bright for self-defense use, I would recommend something larger, and again single mode. Strobelights don't blind attackers into submission and I wish flashlight companies would stop including it.
FWIW, I love my Protac - i just can't find the darn thing.... It's only ever lived on CR123's, but it's nice to have the ability to use AA's.