“how come by chanukah we are all into the nes being publicized and by purim its more of a hidden holiday? “
I blame it all on Hallmark. When I was a kid we celebrated Chanukah but the rest of the world really didn’t know or pay attention. Then Hallmark and the other card companies saw that there was a profit to be made and suddenly mass merchandisers see Chanukah as the Jewish Xmas – mostly because of the dates being so close. The press now loves the holiday as well and are forever publishing recipes and menu ideas for Chanukah. Nobody has tipped these companies off about Purim – yet. Also, most people pick up costumes at this time of year for half price, so there isn’t a mad dash for them in Feb/March. Believe me, if the costume manufacturers thought they could make a buck putting up costume displays in WalMart at Purim, they would do it. I also blame Hallmark for making Hallowe’en so important. I recently read that more people decorate their homes and yards for Hallowe’en than for Xmas. This is all recent – it didn’t happen 25 years ago. Also, they turned St. Paddy’s day into a big deal – for everyone, not just the Irish. Purim’s turn is just around the corner.