By SARAH WELCH and ALICIA ROCKMORE, getbuttonedup.com

Don't you just love opening your mailbox right around your birthday and finding thoughtful greeting cards wishing you a happy day? We both do; it's such a nice change from the usual bills and junk mail that stuff boxes. In this day of instant e-everything, getting a physical greeting card on a special occasion lets you know you are cherished.

In a winter funk? It's easy to shake. Help someone else cross something off their list.

Evidence from scientists in fields as varied as neuroscience, evolutionary psychology and behavioral economics is mounting: altruistic acts are not only a fundamental fabric of our human communities, but are also a sure-fire route to happiness and health.

Wish you had more time in the day? Consider these time-management truths.

To sustain New Year's resolutions, we have put together a 30-day de-cluttering calendar. For each day, we outline one simple thing you can do -- usually in no more than 15 minutes -- to clear your home. Follow it for the next month and you'll enjoy a cleaner, more organized home without too much effort.

A few years ago, Disney Pixar released the movie "Up." It's a sweet little film about a rather crotchety old widower and a young scout who accidentally end up on an adventure together. Not long after they touch down in a far-off land they are greeted by a dog named Dug.

Along with losing weight and getting organized, saving more money or clawing out of debt typically round out the top three New Year's resolutions. As far as changes go, it's probably the most difficult to follow through on. It takes hard work and, yes, organization. But the financial and emotional freedoms that come from not having to worry about money are worth every bit of effort.

The statistics on New Year's resolutions are pretty dismal: As few as 2 percent of resolution-setters actually achieve their goals by the year's end, we've heard.

No matter what your goals, we want to help you achieve them. Organize yourself for success.

We are always surprised when we hear grown people shrug off thank-you notes. No, it doesn't matter if Grandma was sitting with you as you opened the gift from her; you still owe her a formal thank-you note. An email won't do either. And yes, even if you have horrible handwriting, you must still sit down and hand-write a card to each person who was kind enough to give you a gift this season.

There's nothing quite like sitting down to a big celebratory dinner with family and good friends during the Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa seasons. But all too often, the cook ends up slaving in the kitchen and missing out on quality time with everyone else.

The holidays bring about their own set of challenges when it comes to gift-giving etiquette. There are many things to consider when getting or giving gifts. While the overall sentiment of thoughtfulness is a wonderful guide, it might be a little too vague to be truly useful.