I believe in two major rules:
don't experiment, this is no time to try out a new recipe, everything you're making you should have made with that recipe at least twice already, some of the biggest holiday disasters I've been party to started off with the words "well I decided to try out this new recipe for...", stick to what you know.
raisins don't belong in food, this rule also applies to pot lucks, these types of meals tend to cause people to stick raisins the wierdest of places, raisins are nice for some stuff but not for anything that isn't breakfast or desert and not all deserts.
***...raisins don't belong in food,....***
LOL! I agree. I love them raw, but never cooked. Once cooked, they turn into slimy, slippery little evil beings which roll around on your tongue when you don't expect it. And they have a distinct taste of sulpher, which I'm convinced is not accidental.
GASP!!!! Hahahahhahaahha I am aghast.. but I understand your point.. LOLOLOL