Alan S. Orling for The New York Times
In an article from Oct. 30, 1892, "Customs From Halloween; An Observance That has Come From Pagan Times," The New York Times described "All Hallow Even or Halloween" as "undoubtedly a relic of pagan times."
The article continues:
Druids were accustomed to kindling sacred fires on the eve of Nov. 1, possibly to ward off evil spirits, as in the popular imagination this has always been considered the high carnival season for witches, fairies and the immaterial principle in humanity to wander abroad.
Supernatural influences prevail and divination by means of mystic ceremonies is at its highest power then.
But the greatest sport of all (In certain parts of England and Ireland), which is indulged now in this country as well, was the diving for apples. It being difficult to bite the bobbing fruit they were usually caught by the stems, or forced to the bottom of the tub and then seized.
That's just "a drop in the bucket" compared to overall holiday spending, said Nikoleta Panteva, a senior analyst with market researcher IBISWorld. According to her firm's analysis, Americans spent $228 billion for all major holidays in 2010, from Father's Day to Thanksgiving. Christmas sales alone were $135 billion, or nearly 60% of the total. Halloween's haul was the smallest, accounting for a mere 2.6% of holiday spending. 
