Halloween is almost as popular as Christmas?

Halloween is creeping up on the December holiday in popularity and consumer spending, according to recent retail surveys. And the customs surrounding the ghoulish day are not just for little ones anymore.

Adult participation in Halloween is at an all-time high in the United States, with big kids dressing up as their favorite characters and partying into the wee hours like never before. Americans will spend almost $5 billion on Halloween this year, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF), a jump of more than a billion dollars over last year.

More grown-up participation in spooky festivities is a big contributor to the holiday's growth, experts say. Nearly 80 percent of 25-34 year-olds will dress up in costume, according to an NRF survey, which lists witches, pirates and vampires as its top adult get-ups for 2006.

Top Adult Halloween Costumes (2006):
1. Witch
2. Pirate
3. Vampire
4. Cat
5. Clown
6. Fairy
7. Gypsy
8. Superhero
9. Ghost/Ghoul
10. Dracula
11. Devil
12. Woman of the Night
13. Nurse
14. Pumpkin
15. Athlete
16. Princess
17. Zombie
18. Angel
19. French Maid
20. Cowboy/Cowgirl

Top Kids Halloween Costumes (2006):
1. Princess
2. Pirate
3. Witch
4. Spider-Man
5. Superman
6. Disney Princess
7. Power Ranger
8. Pumpkin
9. Cat
10. Vampire
11. Angel
12. Fairy
13. Ninja
14. SpongeBob SquarePants
15. Batman
16. Cheerleader
17. Football player
18. Tinkerbell
19. Monster
20. Star Wars character