Making threats just tells them what the plans are. Move in silence, and do what needs to be done. You wouldn't tell (or imply to) a cop that you're planning on robbing a store, because they would expect it and act accordingly.
man, you've just summed up my entire experience with Christmas. weird, awkward, somewhat hollow and depressing. its best if your a kid, but the whole thing seems like it's pushed on us every year and everyone is expected to give/receive shit. Now, things are about to get more expensive and we're supposed to act like everything is cool. the world these days isn't a jolly place, so I'm not gonna pretend even for a month, that it is.
Seriously! They've tried to make the guy out to be a quack, but the attempts at it are really pathetic, at best.