What if my religious or personal beliefs do not permit me to give gifts?
Nancy Mitchell: Do not keep this a secret. It is perfectly appropriate to share that information with other people in the office. There maybe one or two people in an office who have been tasked with setting up the parties or collecting the money or buying the cards. Share this information with them. Tell them that your beliefs do not permit you to do that but you are very much a team player, you very much want to be a part of this business family but you are not able to participate in that way.
Then when an occurrence comes up, let us say the anniversary, the retirement, the promotion, the wedding, write someone a personal note, let them know you are thinking about them, you are not holding back for some reason that may have them guessing or they may misinterpret. Let them know you really care about them by writing a personal note.