BATH — Historic Bath’s Bonner House, Palmer-Marsh House and Van Der Veer Houses are dressed up in their Christmas finery this year, and there’s not a flashing light or cartoon inflatable in sight.

The three houses are embracing the holiday season as they traditionally do, implementing a decorating scheme that stresses simplicity and natural adornments.

But today’s interpretation isn’t really how folks in the colonial era would have celebrated the holidays, confided Leigh Swain, Historic Bath State Historic Site manager.

“In the colonial period, people wouldn’t use fruits in a wreath outside for birds and squirrels to eat,” Swain said with a smile. They’d put it in a bowl inside to eat themselves.”

Historic Bath’s decorating scheme is that of the Colonial Revival style that gained popularity in the 1920s and 1930s, according to Swain. But Christians in colonial times did do a bit of decorating to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

“In the colonial period, people might have used greenery and red berries and tucked it around a mirror,” she said. “Mostly in that period they were more concerned with parties, food and fellowship and less about decorations.”

But today, Historic Bath puts its best foot forward when the Christmas season rolls around. Planning for the holidays began months ago and a few days before the site’s Dec. 13 open house, members of the Historic Bath Garden Club and other volunteers turned out in force to put their detailed plans into effect.

They came loaded down with fresh greenery, sprigs of red berries, dried okra pods, yarrow blossoms and other dried flowers.

“One woman in the garden club brought along a bunch of rosemary,” Swain said. “They contribute not just their talents but their greenery, too.”

Bath residents are always willing to offer cuttings from boxwood, magnolias and pines, confident that the materials will be put to good use.

“All the volunteers make wreaths, make arrangements, design medallions … they just do a remarkable job,” Swain noted. “They make charts of what wreaths and arrangements are needed, and the designs are crafted with specific houses in mind.”

With charts and diagrams in hand, they know exactly what is needed to decorate the site’s three historic houses as well as the visitors center. Decorating began Dec. 9 and most of the project was completed, save a few last minute touches, by the end of the next day.

In a nod to historic accuracy, Swain said most of the decorations this year were confined to the main floors of the homes.

“Those were the public spaces, so that’s where most of the decorating would have been done in the colonial era,” Swain pointed out.

Swain estimated that it took between 35 and 40 people to prepare the historic site for this year’s celebration.

“I’m always amazed that these talented ladies come up with fresh designs using the same kinds of materials every year,” she said. “There is always a twist, a different design.”

Such attention to detail and the thought of hosting a holiday open house attended by visitors from throughout Beaufort County and surrounding areas can sometimes be daunting, Swain admitted.

“The beginning of the week can be a little stressful when you think about all that has to be done,” she said. “But by the end of the week the gracious attitudes of the designers and the beauty of their final products have put me in the Christmas spirit!”

For those who missed the open house, some of the decorations may still be viewed while visiting Historic Bath. According to Swain, some arrangements inside the house are removed once they begin drying out, but the outside decorations usually are on display through Christmas. Historic Bath State Historic Site will be closed Dec. 24-26.