20 Mother’s Day gifts that give back
Apr 29, 2026
With Mission Market, you can give two gifts this Mother’s Day — one for your own, and one for the millions of moms we work with around the world.
At Concern, we love moms. We work with millions of them each year, helping them get the care they need during and after pregnancy, giving them the tools they can use to raise happy and healthy children, and working with them to launch businesses and build financial independence for their family—breaking what can be generations of cyclical poverty.
You can give two gifts this Mother’s Day — one that celebrates your own mom with Mission Market (which showcases products we’ve sourced from some of the 24 countries we work), and one that helps us work with more mothers and families in the years to come. We have everything below from a coffee-and-mug combination that elevates a Mother’s Day standard, to embroidery from Ukraine and jewelry from Afghanistan, to a gift for the mom who says she doesn’t want anything.
But first, let’s start with an elephant…
1. Elephant bowl
$58 / Kenya
Your mom never forgets you, here’s a gift to show you’ll always remember her: Handcrafted in Kenya, this stone bowl pairs a four-legged form with a sculptural silhouette. Its unique, natural finish adds warmth and character, and stands on its own as a decorative accent, or can be used to hold essentials like jewelry, keys, or spare change.
(Is your mom more into knits than stoneware? We have an elephant for that, too…)
2. Kenyan grass totes
$140 / Kenya
Made by women and to support women: these bags are hand-woven from Milulu grass by women in rural Kenya and are a testament to their craftsmanship and time-tested techniques. Perfect for the summer months, we currently have options that include an open weave with a natural finish, a striped cinch-top, and an open weave with stripes. All are complemented by durable leather straps, designed for everyday use.
Shop the open-weave tote in natural
Shop the striped open-weave tote
3. Afghan lapis rings
$45 / Afghanistan
Lapis lazuli has traditionally been a symbol of wisdom and love, and a gemstone unique to Afghanistan for millennia. Ethically-sourced, these exquisite blue lapis rings highlight the gemstone’s mesmerizing beauty and are expertly handcrafted by Afghan artisans. Available in circle, diamond, double oval, and double triangle cuts.
Concern works with Afghans both in their home country and in Pakistan on income-generating projects that also keep these traditional crafts alive and passed on to the next generation. We’re also currently leading a project delivering quality maternal and pediatric care in some of the country’s hardest-to-reach communities.
4. Swahili architecture earrings
$38 / Kenya
Made by collectives in Kenya, these circle earrings are made from bone, horn, and recycled brass and inspired by Swahili architecture and the distinctive shapes along Kenya’s coastline. Each design reflects a balance of graphic simplicity and thoughtful craftsmanship. Available as drop and stud earrings.
Shop the Swahili drop earrings
Shop the Swahili stud earrings
5. Ethiopian beaded bracelets
$20-$36 / Ethiopia
Handcrafted by Sharon of Sharon’s Beads, an independent jeweler in Ethiopia, these thick bracelets are carefully woven, bead by bead, to create a bold, textured design. The soft structure allows it to sit comfortably on the wrist while adding a pop of color and craftsmanship to everyday wear. Available in lime green, cobalt blue, and blush pearl. (If you’re looking for a set, Sharon also makes single-strand seed-bead necklaces.)
Also from Ethiopia, we have a series of gemstone beaded bracelets, also made by an independent, female jewelry maker. The lightweight feel and natural textures make each bracelet a simple yet expressive piece that layers beautifully or stands on its own in a variety of colors.
Shop the chunky bead bracelets
6. Kenyan beaded earrings
$48-$54 / Kenya
Handcrafted in Kenya, these beaded earrings bring together soft color, simple form, and easy everyday wear. Made by community artisans through Opportunity Factory, each pair reflects thoughtful design and care while supporting livelihoods through meaningful work. Available as single-beaded drops and double-beaded.
Shop the single-beaded drop earrings
Shop the double-beaded drop earrings
7. Concern Worldwide mug
$25 / Malawi
This one is a mug with meaning, handmade in Malawi where we’ve been active for nearly a quarter of a century, working with communities to build financial independence and security with livelihoods programs that have helped thousands of families to transform their lives in one of the world’s poorest countries.
Shop the Concern Worldwide mug
8. Luna Coffee’s Concern blend
$10 / Ethiopia
Pair our Concern Worldwide mug (above) with a bag of single-origin Ethiopian coffee from our friends at Luna. The illustration on the bag captures a moment from one of our program participants in Ethiopia, preparing coffee as part of the jebena ceremony — a daily ritual for gathering, socializing, and celebrating community (as well as drinking coffee). For every bag sold, Luna donates a portion of the proceeds to Concern, and you can even sign your mom up for a regular subscription.
Shop Luna Coffee's Concern blend
9. Handwoven coaster sets
$32-$42 / Kenya
These beautiful coasters using traditional techniques can be an extra add-on to our mug and Luna Coffee combo, and serve two purposes: Sales support our work with entrepreneurs and small handicraft business owners (like the women who weave these products), and they also support the mother who is always begging you to use a coaster on her tables.
Our sets of six in black, blue, and brown come with their own mini storage basket, and we also have sets with deep pink edges and deep pink centers. (And matching placemats in blue.)
10. Ukrainian embroidered oven mitts
$26 / Ukraine
Designed and crafted in Ukraine, these woven oven mitts feature bold geometric patterns and sturdy construction suitable for daily cooking. Both functional and expressive, they bring color and character to the kitchen and use traditional Ukrainian embroidery techniques. Available in red and blue.
11. Ukrainian embroidered napkins
Each region of Ukraine has its own distinctive embroidery motifs, often seen on the colorful vyshyvankas worn by women, men, and children across the country. Designed and crafted in Ukraine, these napkins are made from durable linen and add warmth and character to everyday meals and special gatherings alike. Available in sets of four (multicolor floral) and six (red and black floral).
12. Ukrainian ceramic plates
$28-$68 / Ukraine
Another handicraft in Ukraine is ceramics, and these plates make a statement while supporting artisans working in these traditions. Each plate is glazed in a vibrant green, teal, or ochre and includes natural elements with leaf and wildgrass impressions.
13. Afghan woven pillow cover
$50 / Afghanistan
A universal truth that binds us together as a global society: Our moms love pillows. These cases (measuring 20” by 18”) can slip over her existing cushions, or be paired with a new set to bring this traditional Afghan pattern to her favorite armchair or sofa. Every stitch reflects precision and care, resulting in a one-of-a-kind, high-quality piece that adds timeless beauty with added meaning to a space.
Shop the woven blue pillow cover
14. Embroidered pillow covers
Hand-embroidered in Malawi, these cushion covers measure 18.25” x 18.5” and come in a variety of natural motifs, including gingko leaves, wildflowers, ochre leaves, and mixed leaves.
15. Mission Market sweatshirt
$55 / USA
This super-soft sweatshirt in Concern’s signature teal adds another level of comfy to your mom’s wardrobe, while furthering Concern’s mission to end extreme poverty wherever it takes.
If you’re looking for something to transition to the warmer months, we also have a long-sleeve T in cherry red. (And if you’re looking for something to celebrate a little one with a big future, we also have matching onesies.)
Shop Mission Market's sweatshirts
16. Ethiopian cotton scarf
$58 / Ethiopia
Lightweight yet richly textured, these 100% cotton scarves reflect the beauty of the country’s tradition of textile craftsmanship. Each scarf is hand-woven by the team at YeHagere, an eco-friendly, cruelty-free, ethically-made collective in Addis Ababa. The open weave creates a soft, breathable fabric that drapes easily and can be worn as a scarf, shawl, or light wrap throughout the seasons. Available in heather grey, black and ivory, and indigo mix.
17. Hand-woven Kenyan blankets
$120 / Kenya
We’ve yet to find a mom who says no to a beautiful blanket. These hand-woven cotton throws are relaxed, versatile, and vibrant with a variety of patterns including striped earth tones, cream and navy stitch, and soft pink and orange grid.
18. Aleppo soap bundle
$56 / Syria
Give your mother the gift of ancient tradition with our handmade Aleppo soaps. Made with 20% laurel oil and 80% virgin olive oil and enhanced with warm amber and oud fragrance, these soaps gently cleanse while leaving skin soft, nourished, and radiant. Cooked in traditional cauldrons and air-dried for months, each bar reflects a time-honored artisanal process that creates a long-lasting, gentle soap. Handcrafted in Nizip, Türkiye, a border town neighboring Aleppo, Syria.
19. Handwoven wall hangings
$45 / Malawi
These oversized wall hangings are hand-woven by craftspeople in Malawi, who bring to each piece the character of a homemade work of art, together with a rich cultural heritage that they’re able to pass down from one generation to the next.
(And if your mother is a fan of baskets, we have an entire section for baskets from Malawi and Kenya, in varying shapes and sizes.)
Shop the oversized wall hanging in diamond motif
Shop the oversized wall hanging in circle motif
10. One full, lifesaving course of RUTF
$50 / Worldwide
Shopping last minute? Have a mom who “doesn’t want anything”? We’ve got that covered, too: a $50 gift to Concern Worldwide US is fully tax-deductible, and can cover the cost of a full treatment of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) for a child suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
Like any good gift, this one also has a story behind it, and you can share the history of RUTF and the program through which we administer it, Community Management of Acute Malnutrition, with your mom as well.
