Old friends with whom we have weathered many a storm know us in a way that's comforting yet slightly stifling. Familiarity doesn't always breed contempt but it does tend to create a set of expectations. If we're contemplating a bold new move, we can feel less inhibited about saying as much in the company of comparative strangers. Events this Christmas are not telling you that you need to walk away from the folk you already know, but they are saying that you should make more room in your life for new contacts.