<P> American librarian and author Ruth Edna Kelley wrote the first book length history of the holiday in the U.S; The Book of Hallowe'en (1919), and references souling in the chapter Hallowe'en in America; "All Hallowe'en customs in the United States are borrowed directly or adapted from those of other countries . The taste in Hallowe'en festivities now is to study old traditions, and hold a Scotch party, using Robert Burns's poem Halloween as a guide; or to go a-souling as the English used . In short, no custom that was once honored at Hallowe'en is out of fashion now". The main event for children of modern Halloween in the United States and Canada is trick - or - treating, in which children, teenagers, (sometimes) young adults, and parents (accompanying their children) disguise themselves in costumes and go door - to - door in their neighborhoods, ringing each doorbell and yelling "Trick or treat!" to solicit a gift of candy or similar items . Teenagers and adults will more frequently attend Halloween - themed costume parties typically hosted by friends or themed events at nightclubs either on Halloween itself or a weekend close to the holiday . </P> <P> At the turn of the 20th century, Halloween had turned into a night of vandalism, with destruction of property and cruelty to animals and people . Around 1912, the Boy Scouts, Boys Clubs, and other neighborhood organizations came together to encourage a safe celebration that would end the destruction that had become so common on this night . </P> <P> The commercialization of Halloween in the United States did not start until the 20th century, beginning perhaps with Halloween postcards (featuring hundreds of designs), which were most popular between 1905 and 1915 . Dennison Manufacturing Company (which published its first Halloween catalog in 1909) and the Beistle Company were pioneers in commercially made Halloween decorations, particularly die - cut paper items . German manufacturers specialised in Halloween figurines that were exported to the United States in the period between the two World Wars . </P> <P> Halloween is now the United States' second most popular holiday (after Christmas) for decorating; the sale of candy and costumes is also extremely common during the holiday, which is marketed to children and adults alike . The National Confectioners Association (NCA) reported in 2005 that 80 percent of American adults planned to give out candy to trick - or - treaters . The NCA reported in 2005 that 93 percent of children planned to go trick - or - treating . According to the National Retail Federation, the most popular Halloween costume themes for adults are, in order: witch, pirate, vampire, cat, and clown . Each year, popular costumes are dictated by various current events and pop culture icons . On many college campuses, Halloween is a major celebration, with the Friday and Saturday nearest 31 October hosting many costume parties . Other popular activities are watching horror movies and visiting haunted houses . Total spending on Halloween is estimated to be $8.4 billion . </P>

When did halloween catch on in this country