Regardless of religious affiliations, I think everyone likes to share celebrations and good will.
On our last cruise, along with cash tips, we had chocolates, cashews, dried mango and Mi Goreng (a ramen made in Indonesia) to give our stewards. You should have seen the smiles on their faces. I don't think they were faking it. Next day they said they had cooked it up and shared with their friends. I know they will buy the same noodles when they are in port.
I understand that money has value but so does the human touch when you're away from home for so long.