Holiday Ski Gondola (Red)

This cheery metal gondola looks like it just came down the mountain after the last run of the day. It's lacquer red with crisp white trim, open windows, two loops on the roof, and a door marked with a big "26." The door swings open on real hinges, and a working security arm latches it shut, so little hands (and big ones) can load passengers and close them in for the ride. Fill the cabin with evergreen sprigs, pinecones, tiny wrapped presents, or a snowman heading for the summit.

Gondolas have been hauling skiers uphill since the mid-20th century. Wildcat Mountain in New Hampshire opened the first ski gondola in the United States in 1957, and New Englanders have been riding them to the top ever since. Anyone who has waited in a lift line on a frosty Vermont morning knows the little thrill of hearing that door latch before the cabin swings off the platform. This one comes without the wind chill, and it keeps its heated-lodge charm all season.

• Material — Sturdy metal in glossy red with white trim and black pinstripe accents
• Dimensions — 12.68 in H x 12.01 in L x 7.56 in W (32.2 x 30.5 x 19.2 cm)
• Working Door — Hinged door opens and closes, with a functioning security arm latch
• Design — Open-window cabin, two roof loops, and a round "26" number plate on the door
• Care — Wipe clean with a soft, dry cloth, and store it somewhere dry between seasons