Axios Finish Line

When considering what makes life meaningful, Americans across age, party and home state agree: It's family.

• Why it matters: Watch cable news or scroll social media, and it might start to seem like we seldom agree on anything. But the power of family unites us.

📊 By the numbers: 83% of American adults — including 82% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents and 85% of Republicans and leaners — say they get a great deal or quite a bit of meaning and fulfillment from spending time with family, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.

• And in a Pew study from 2021, people from every age group ranked family as the top source of meaning in life — above work and financial wellbeing.

🧠 Reality check: Even though family time is a top priority across the country, Americans are actually spending significantly more time alone.

• We spend an average of 9 more hours alone per week than we used to in 2013, per the Washington Post.

🌲Worth noting: Another one of life's gifts Americans value is the great outdoors. 71% of adults, including 72% of Republicans and 70% of Democrats, said they get quite a bit or a great deal of fulfillment from spending time outside and experiencing nature.

The bottom line: If you have the chance to be with family and friends this season, savor it. And maybe even consider spending some of that time together outside!

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Thank you to the dozens of readers who answered our call for free or inexpensive holiday gift ideas.

Here's one via Finish Liner Wendi S. from Eden Prairie, Minnesota:

• "This will cost you just one hour a month but will make someone feel valued and loved all through the year. Give the gift of a one-on-one call with a friend or relative who lives in a different state. Put it on your calendar, and make it more important than the everyday demands of life."