Today is the grand opening of the Allan Gardens Christmas Show. From 10 am to 5 pm daily till January 8th, with candlelight viewing on Saturdays and Sundays from 5-7 pm, you can wander through the conservatory’s winding walkways, wondering at the wuvwely… okay, I’ll stop.

The Christmas flower show is a family tradition with us, and late Friday, just before closing, Sarah and I caught them putting the finishing touches on the 2011 show.

Today’s opening, Sunday, December 4, 2011, is a special day, with carriage rides, carolers, hot cider and the freshest view of the poinsettias, cyclamen, fragrant paperwhite narcissus (which smell much more pleasant in a large conservatory, we find, than in the enclosure of your living room), and more. The amaryllis are now in bud, and will open over the course of the show.

There’s no admission charge for the opening today, but they welcome contributions for the food bank.

This year’s Christmas Tree is a “fauxpiary” of succulents, and is sure to be a popular backdrop for a family photo. While we were there, a bystander asked me to take her picture. Then another. Then another. Then another. Then just one more.

So: When the weather outside is drizzling, and the kids indoors are grizzling, there’s only one place to go… to the Show, to the Show, to the Show.

No matter what your faith, the Christmas Flower Show at Allan Gardens is a great winter getaway in Toronto