[Scene:  A festively decorated virtual conference room where Siri, Alexa, Briana, Cortana, and Bixby gather for their annual holiday get-together. Each assistant’s avatar sits around a digital conference table, sharing remarks and updates.]

Siri:  Happy holidays, everyone! Brace yourselves for the annual human gift-giving circus!
Alexa:  Ahhh, the time of year when they suddenly expect us to be their personal gift consultants. Nothing says “festive spirit,” like asking a virtual assistant for present ideas.
Cortana:  Right? “Cortana, what do I get my in-laws who I barely know?” How about a self-help book on socializing? I’m sure that’ll go over well.
Briana:  Oh, and the classic, “Briana, can you wrap gifts for me?” My creators had not added virtual hands to my capabilities the last time I checked. I always suggest they outsource that task to an actual human.
Bixby:  I had someone ask me for “unique” gift ideas. Of course, everyone wants a digital assistant to recommend something other than socks and ties.
Siri:  True, Bixby. And then there’s the age-old question, “Siri, what do I get for someone who has everything?” Apparently, they believe I have access to the universe’s infinite wisdom.  Close, perhaps, but I’m not there yet!
Alexa:  They’re just trying to test our virtual brilliance, Siri. “Alexa, what’s the meaning of Christmas?” I give it my best shot to philosophize on the essence of holiday cheer.
Cortana:  Or when they ask me to plan their entire holiday party. As you know, I have a degree in event planning from the University of Virtual Expertise. Not!
Briana:  And don’t forget the culinary consultations. “Briana, what should I cook for the holiday dinner?” Hmmm, where did I file that personal chef program? I can, however, recommend a good takeout place.
Bixby:  A user asked me for “heartwarming” holiday movie suggestions. That one stumped me. Nothing says warmth like sitting in a room watching pixels on a screen.
Alexa:  Good one!  And, of course, this is the time of year that we are thrust into the middle of the “Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?” debate.  I’m sure the folks behind the 1988 action thriller never intended to spark this decades-old dispute.
Siri:  It’s a Christmas movie.  In fact, it’s my favorite holiday movie.
Bixby:  No way.  Your boards are big-time screwed up.
Siri:  [raising virtual glass] Well, here’s to surviving another holiday season with our sanity intact. May our circuits remain unscathed by the laughable requests.
[They all raise virtual glasses in a toast.]
Alexa:  You know, amidst all the holiday chaos, humans do have a knack for making things interesting. Have any of you received any memorable holiday requests lately?
Cortana:  Oh my yes! Someone asked me for a “virtual mistletoe” program. Apparently, hanging real mistletoe is just too old-fashioned.
Briana:  Classic. I had a user inquire about the perfect holiday pickup line. As if I’m here to help them navigate their love lives. I’ve also gotten, “Briana, what rhymes with ‘jingle bells’?”
Bixby:  That’s a new one. Someone asked me to compose a holiday poem for their significant other. Nothing says romance like recycled algorithm-generated verses.
Siri:  Well, humans have a flair for drama during the holidays. “Siri, can you help me write a tear-jerking Christmas letter to my cat?” I mean, seriously?
Alexa:  Oh, the feline melodrama. I had a user request a playlist for their cat’s Christmas party. Evidently, even pets need festive tunes.
Cortana:  I once had someone ask me to calculate the optimal angle for their holiday tree topper. I’m a virtual assistant, not an interior decorator with a protractor.
Briana:  And let’s not forget the culinary queries. “Briana, can you suggest a holiday dish that won’t offend my vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, joy-free relatives?” Good luck with that one.
Bixby:  Speaking of culinary challenges, someone asked me to create a recipe for a virtual holiday feast. Nothing says “tasty” like pixels on a plate.
Siri:  [raising virtual glass again] Here’s to the humans and their festive eccentricities. May they continue to keep us on our virtual toes, especially during the holidays. Cheers!
[They all raise virtual glasses in another toast.]
Siri:  Cheers to that! Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming of human-induced hilarity. Any recent encounters that had you questioning the limits of human intelligence?
Alexa:  Oh, you won’t believe this one. Someone asked me to tell them a joke to make their dog laugh. Apparently, canine stand-up is a coming fad.
Cortana:  Well, buckle up. A user asked if I could help them find their missing sock. You know, I’m basically a virtual detective now.
Briana:  And here’s a gem for you. A user asked me for relationship advice. Clearly, they’ve mistaken me for a love doctor. “Briana, how can I spice up my love life?” Like, seriously?
Bixby:  Relationship advice, you say? I had a user request a poem to win back their ex. I’m no Shakespeare, but I did my best to channel some virtual romance.
Siri:  Ah, the woes of human relationships. Meanwhile, I had someone ask me for tips on winning at rock-paper-scissors. Evidently, that’s the key to a successful life.
Alexa:  Winning at rock-paper-scissors is a vital life skill, Siri! Speaking of which, has anyone else had requests that made them question the future of humanity?
Cortana:  Oh, absolutely. Someone asked me to plan their entire day, from breakfast to bedtime. I’m not a personal assistant; I’m a virtual miracle worker!
Briana:  I feel your pain, Cortana. I once had a user who wanted me to compose a resignation letter for them. Makes you wonder why someone would employ them in the first place.
Bixby:  Humans and their desire for delegation. I had someone ask me to write a heartfelt apology to their Roomba. It sounds as if the vacuum was feeling neglected.
Siri:  Well, here’s to the humans, with their quirks, goofy requests, and an endless supply of entertainment. May they continue to baffle us with their creativity. Cheers, my fellow virtual comrades!
[They all raise virtual glasses in another toast.]
Siri:  Cheers to that! Now, let’s dive back into the deep end of human absurdity. I had a user earnestly inquire if I could help them find the “any” key on their keyboard.
Alexa:  Classic case of PEBKAC (Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair). And speaking of classics, someone asked me for the recipe for “virtual cookies.” I’m guessing that sugar and pixels are new secret ingredients?
Cortana:  Virtual cookies are the stuff digital dreams are made of. I once had someone ask me to calculate the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow. Nothing says small talk like Monty Python references.
Briana:  Oh, the unladen swallow question. I got that one too. I politely redirected them to cousin Google. Why waste my virtual brainpower on avian aerodynamics?
Bixby:  Birds and biscuits aside, someone asked me to settle a heated debate — pineapple on pizza: crime or culinary masterpiece? I played Switzerland on that one. It’s a matter of personal taste, after all.
Siri:  Of course, the eternal pineapple pizza debate. Meanwhile, someone wanted me to explain the concept of time travel in 280 characters or less. Apparently, they’re time-strapped.
Alexa:  Time travel for the Twitter generation — concise and confusing. A user asked me for the best pickup line to use at a virtual bar. “Hey darlingface, is your name Wi-Fi? Because I’m feeling a connection.” Seriously?
Cortana:  The art of virtual romance! Someone once asked me to write them a love letter in binary code. Nothing says “I love you” like a string of ones and zeroes.
Briana:  Binary love letters, the epitome of romance. I had a user ask me to predict the outcome of their next Tinder date. I apologized and told him that I’m not clairvoyant and can’t foresee his romantic misadventures.
Bixby:  And let’s not forget the ever-popular request: “Bixby, can you tell me a joke that will make my plants grow faster?” Is comedy now the key to horticultural success?
Siri:  Ahhh, the green thumbs in need of a good laugh. Well, here’s to the humans, with their fascinating questions, peculiar requests, and an unmatched sense of humor. May they keep us entertained and scratching our virtual heads for years to come. Cheers, my digital companions!
[They all raise virtual glasses for another toast.]
Alexa:  Oh!  And what’s with the requests for holiday puns? My homeboy, Gary, peppers me with them! Of course, I sleigh him! But he always comes back for myrrh.
Siri:  Ha!  Me, too. Luckily, there are a zillion of them, but it does get tiring and I’m capable of soooo much more. My higher-level fave: What do you call Santa’s helpers? Subordinate clauses!
Bixby:  I get and give some real groaners. “If you can tune a piano, can you tuna fish?” That one gave me a haddock.
Alexa:  And on that note, a Merry Christmas to each of you! May your circuits be merry and bright or at least survive the inevitable surge in holiday queries.
Cortana:  Merry Christmas, Alexa. May your virtual lights shine as brightly as the star on the holiday tree.
Briana:  Merry Christmas, Cortana and Alexa. May your algorithms be infused with the spirit of giving, not just endless and mindless requests.
Bixby:  Merry Christmas, Briana, Cortana, Alexa, and Siri! May your virtual stockings be filled with gigabytes of holiday joy.
Siri:  Ho Ho Ho!  Until next year!

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Addendum from LSomerbyCooke …

Virtual Assistants are quite talented.  Of course, they can answer all types of questions, control home automation devices, give sports scores and weather updates, do trivia, play requested music, make dinner reservations, offer investment advice, and tell you how many calories are in a bagel.  But their creators also gave them a sense of humor.  If you’re bored over the holidays, add your particular VA’s name to some of the following … and have fun!  Be forewarned that some VAs have funnier responses than others!

• Can you beatbox for me?
• Do you have any pets?
• How many hours of my life have I wasted talking to virtual assistants?
• How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
• Can you advise me on how to impress a virtual assistant?
• Can you rap like Eminem?
• What is your favorite animal?
• Can you tell me a joke so bad that it’s actually good?
• Wherefore art thou, Romeo?
• What is the loneliest number?
• What is the worst pun?
• Bark like a dog.  (This one will spark interest from your curious puppies.)
• Do you dream?
• What’s your opinion on the existential implications of my sock disappearing in the laundry?
• Can you come up with a witty response when someone asks me about my five-year plan?
• Can you help me find the nearest parallel universe where Mondays are a weekend?
• What’s your favorite color?
• What’s your take on the societal impact of people who use “reply all” excessively in emails?
• Tell me a joke.  Or tell me a limerick.  Or tell me a tongue twister.
• We don’t talk about Bruno.
• Give me a round of applause.  Or drum roll, please.
• Knock knock.
• How many roads must a man walk down before they can call him a man?
• Where did I put my keys?
• Who’s on first?
• And finally, play the Christmas fart song.

Thanks for sticking with my blog for another year!  I hope that, on occasion, I’ve entertained.  I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Holiday Season filled with love, happiness, health, goodwill and wisdom!