In the big scheme of Jewish Holidays, Chanukah has, I think, taken on a much greater importance than the event that it actually celebrates. It's primarily celebrated, and looked forward to, mostly by children.

This is due, I'd guess, to the gift giving and it's proximity to Christmas.

The "Happy Chanukah" greetings that you see in stores and advertisements are there strictly to get people into the gift giving (and, necessairily, gift buying) frame of mind.

You never see Purim (which is a holiday that, in its historical context is as important, I think, as Chanukah) greetings, for example, because there is no gift buying involved.