LOS ANGELES—Falling between the giving season of Hannukahand the getting season of tax refunds, Purim time finds households like mine searching for ways to keep holiday expenses down to earth without losing the mirth. What with the cost of fancy, professionally...

Grab your royal robes or your tri-cornered hat—it’s almost time for the annual Purim Re-Enactment Parade, a lively, popular event that features a herald with a shofar, Mordechai (the good guy), Haman (the bad guy), flag bearers, a cymbalist and at...