Meghan's Christmas Special: A bit crazy and slightly melancholic

The festive season is in full swing, with Christmas tunes in the air and seasonal beverages flowing, while in California, the Duchess of Sussex is crafting a raw broccoli wreath in a mix of creativity and desperation. This peculiar gift is intended for tennis star Naomi Osaka, who has never met Meghan before and, judging by her reaction, may not be eager to meet her again soon.

Their awkward interaction stands out in With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration (Netflix), an hour-long special where Meghan, as usual, puts in maximal effort. The show is simultaneously bizarre and a little bittersweet, prompting viewers to reach for their festive spirits within minutes as Meghan walks them through holiday basics. Once a year, you get to do the tree thing, she says. Advent calendars are described as a daily surprise for 24 days leading up to Christmas, and wrapping presents is, well, clearly essential.

Meghans guidance, delivered in a light and cheerful tone, covers family traditions and holiday gatherings, intentionally overlooking more complicated family dynamics. She explains, Christmas trees can really tell your familys story. You see the passage of time and different chapters of life through the ornaments. Yet the distance from her father, relocation far from the UK due to marital issues, and a high-profile interview exposing family conflicts are complexities hard to capture in holiday decorations.

Adorned with a Cartier watch and sparkling diamonds, Meghan busies herself in the kitchen, laughing at her own puns (This feels like fondue. Youve never heard anyone say fon-dont.). She reassures viewers repeatedly that she will handle her own tidying up. Her beagle Guy roams around, prompting a surprisehe had passed away earlier this year, making his appearance a curious holiday miracle.

Guests experience Meghans characteristic high-energy hospitality. Restaurateur Will Guidara is one of the first to arrive. Meghan researched his favorite foods, crafted personalized snacks, and organized a craft session for Christmas crackers for his family. Guidara praises the effort as fun thats orchestrated and intentional, but he also notes, Sometimes people try so hard to impress that they forget the reason people are gathered the best dinner parties are those you dont remember the food. His words inadvertently challenge the shows premise, leaving Meghan looking deflated.

Later, Meghan hosts a pyjama party with friends, a segment that may feel over-the-top for adult viewers. Naomi Osaka is drawn into a craft activity for Meghans daughter, and when she mentions her busy life as a mother, Meghan responds enthusiastically about the joys of soul-filling busyness, while Osaka appears visibly drained.

Meghan briefly reminisces about her UK Christmases, recalling the tradition of pulling crackers, but there is no mention of royal celebrations at Sandringham. Her husband Harry appears only near the end, emerging from the pantry, where he had been hidden since the previous season. He reacts with shock to a peculiar vegetable salad Meghan has prepared, muttering, Oh, wow, thats like the anti-salad, leaving viewers sympathizing with him and imagining a simpler festive meal might have sufficed.

With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration is now streaming on Netflix.

Author: Riley Thompson