As regards ignorance - I don't suppose a Masters Degree in British History with research into folk raditions counts as experience - the Soalin' tradition did exist - and NOT just in Britain.

Trick-or-treat may have developed from a similar origin but, as I have previously stated soalin was a Christmas one oh , and foolestroupe - which??? Christmas?? Christmas has been celebrated from its inception (intended to supplant a prior pagan rite) in late December - the only major Christian event which actually varies is that of Easter which is celebrated at different times by the Catholic and Protestant churches to that observed by the Orthodox ones - Russian and Greek primarily.

AS for Hallowe'en itself; the American tradition is simply that copied from the Scots (with a little German Walpurrgisnacht tossed in for good measure.

Muttley