Why does Chanukah affect everyone?

There is an interesting phenomenon in that many Jews who observe few Jewish rituals nevertheless observe Chanukah. What is it about Chanukah that attracts everyone?

The Sfas Emes explains this based on a Mishnah in Tractate Shabbos. It teaches that those wicks and oils which the Sages said not to use for Shabbos lights, may nevertheless be used for Chanukah lights. In Hebrew the words are as follows נר (container holding the oil) שמנים (types of oils) and פתילות (types of wicks). The first letters of these words spells out נפש Nefesh, the Hebrew word for soul.

This is alluding to the fact that even people whose souls are not influenced and affected every week by the holy Shabbos, they can still be affected by the holiness of Chanukah.