Indeed, it's Packed with Absurdity, Extreme Hosting and Self-Help Jargon. But I Do Love Meghan's Holiday Special.

No matter the time of year, it's constantly hunting season for criticism on the Duchess of Sussex's TV show, With Love, Meghan. Reviewers, from seasoned journalists to online pundits, have seldom found such common ground as when eagerly tearing the lifestyle show's first and second seasons to shreds. The common opinion held that a more egregious regal scandal had never been witnessed than the notorious pretzel-bagging incident.

Now, like a merry renegade master, she has returned once again with a "Christmas Special" (aka a yuletide episode). However on this occasion, things have shifted. The standard components we've come to expect – psychobabble word salads, overzealous entertaining – remain, but within the context of a Christmas special, suddenly it all makes sense. The pieces have fallen into place; it's a perfect snow storm.

At this stage, Meghan is like the eccentric aunt at most festive family gatherings – dispensing unsolicited, unnecessary advice, and supplying the occasional strange exclamation. ("I love spinach!" … "A tradition has to have a beginning." … "A tree is part of my memory and love of the holiday season.") She's quite a personality, but her presence is familiar and unexpectedly soothing. And she appears pleased; she's not doing the slightest hurt.

She understands her all subtle gestures, utterance and glance will be dissected and judged, but still appears relaxed and too blessed to be stressed.

It could be this is the initial instance in history where that clichéd phrase – "Don't listen, it's pure jealousy" – might be true. Since, in all honesty, everything in Meghan's Holiday Celebration honestly feels lovely. Admittedly, it's all cringily ultra-extra, nonsense and over the top – but isn't that just what the holiday season is for? And the advice she gives might be ridiculous, but the example she sets appears to be shop-bought.

Anything she turns her beautifully manicured, diamond-adorned hand to, she pulls off with panache. Her culinary efforts looks delicious, the festive decoration she crafts is breathtaking, her gifts are nearly too beautiful to open. Nothing is mediocre or aesthetically displeasing – even the way she fastens her kitchen garment is artful and chic. She doesn't toss a dish in the oven, it "takes a twirl", and she folds gift paper like an paper-folding expert. She also seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself the entire time. How could any skeptical viewer not be charmed, overcome by holiday spirit and left with a powerful yearning for handmade crackers or a crudites platter where broccoli is arranged in the shape of a wreath?

Meghan was once an actress for a living, naturally, but nonetheless, after the level of scrutiny she has endured ever since she became involved with Prince Harry, a theoretical combination of acting royalty would have difficulty behaving this naturally. Her decision to modify or even tone down her persona, regardless of it being so persistently, widely parodied, is oddly heartening. In our volatile world, here is one thing we can depend on: Meghan will be like this, whatever happens. We will forever know where we are with her.

If you're still not buying what she's selling, a point that will undoubtedly come as a reassurance: you are not obligated to. The UK has abolished mandatory conscription anymore, and if there were, it would be unlikely to include viewing With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration. If, however, you willingly check it out and are gripped with envy about her idyllic Christmas, you can take solace either. Whether you're a royal or a data administrator, few children truly appreciates the time and energy their mother puts in in the holiday season. So you can console yourself by envisioning Archie and Lilibet's faces when they reveal a handwritten message that says, 'I love you because you are brave,' from a handcrafted holiday countdown, in place of a candy.