Practically everyone from Elvis Presley to the Beach Boys to the Chipmunks has left a musical imprint on the sound and the spirit of the holidays. Last year's top 5 selling holiday albums were Celine Dion [ tickets ]'s "These Are Special Times," 'N-Sync's "Home For Christmas," Mannheim Steamroller's "The Christmas Angel," Vince Gill with Patrick Williams And His Orchestra's "Breath Of Heaven - A Christmas Collection," and Chicago's "Chicago 25." There is a wide variety of holiday musical cheer for just about any taste.

Actor/comedian Adam Sandler follows up ''Chanukah Song'' on his new album, ''Stan and Judy's Kid'' (Warner Bros.) with ''Chanukah Song, Part II.''

Neither the Beatles nor any of the Fab Four ever released a Christmas album. Now, Ringo Starr [ tickets ] is the first with ''I Wanna Be Santa Claus'' (Mercury), a collection of six new tunes and six classic tunes. Included is a reworking of the Beatles' "Christmas Time is Here," from a fan-club plexi-disc.

A three-song CD and vinyl single has been unearthed from the Jimi Hendrix estate: ''Jimi Hendrix: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year'' (Experience Hendrix/MCA). Hendrix and his Band of Gypsys recorded two unreleased versions of the medley "Little Drummer Boy/Silent Night," while the Experience recorded "Three Little Bears," which was released on 1972's posthumous compilation, ''War Babies.''

Jewel [ tickets ] has recorded a 13-track ''Joy: A Holiday Selection'' (Atlantic), which includes a new Christmas-themed version of her hit "Hands," as well as a gospel medley.

Teen sensations 98 Degrees has the 11-track ''This Christmas'' (Universal) with both Christmas and pop versions of their new single "This Gift."

Take 6's second a cappella holiday CD ''We Wish You a Merry Christmas'' (Reprise) follows up 1991's ''He Is Christmas.''

Like the first three ''A Very Special Christmas'' compilations, ''A Very Special Christmas 4 - Live from Washington, D.C.'' (A&M), also benefits the Special Olympics, and features Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, Jon Bon Jovi, Run-DMC, Mary J. Blige, Vanessa Williams, Tracy Chapman and John Popper.

For a soulful holiday, Motown has once again come up with some cuddly CDs: a re-release of 1973's classic 25-song ''A Motown Christmas'' with a bonus track from Marvin Gaye, ''I Want To Come Home For Christmas;'' 1965's long-out-of-print "Merry Christmas" by Diana Ross and the Supremes with four bonus tracks; and a new compilation, ''Our Very Best Christmas,'' from Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, culled from 1963's ''Christmas With The Miracles'' and 1970's ''The Season For Miracles.''

Hip-O Records has released ''Silent Night, Soulful Night,'' a compilation of Christmas standards with a contemporary twist from such R&B artists as The O'Jays, The Temptations, Vanessa Williams, Al Green, Jeffrey Osbourne, Dru Hill, Brian McKnight and Az Yet. Hip-O Records is also out with ''Santa's Greatest Hits,'' a compilation of the 14 best holiday songs ever recorded, performed by the original artists, including "White Christmas" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas (Bing Crosby), "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" (Brenda Lee) and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" (Judy Garland). Another holiday compilation from Hip-O Records is ''All-Star Country Christmas,'' with 12 of country music's biggest stars such as George Strait, Reba McEntire, Alan Jackson, Clint Black, Travis Tritt, Dwight Yoakam and Vince Gill performing traditional and original holiday songs.

Comedian and talk show host Rosie O'Donnell is getting help with a host of her friends for ''A Rosie Christmas'' (Columbia). Among those joining O'Donnell in duets are Celine Dion [ tickets ], Cher, Trisha Yearwood, Billy Joel, 'N-Sync, Gloria Estefan, Elton John and Lauryn Hill. Proceeds from the album will benefit The For All Kids Foundation, founded by O'Donnell. Complementing the album is "A Rosie Christmas" TV special on ABC, Dec. 5.

''Dillard's Country Christmas Collection 1999'' (Dillard's) features Trace Adkins, Steve Wariner, Lorrie Morgan featuring the New World Philharmonic, Suzy Bogguss, Diamond Rio, Little Texas, Deana Carter, Randy Travis, Sawyer Brown and Shenandoah. Profits from the sale of the compilation will benefit Ronald McDonald Houses nationwide.

Then there are the classics, a number of which are being reissued. The 1962 Bing Crosby's ''Christmas Classics'' (EMI) has been reissued with four new bonus tracks, including the 1977 duet of "Little Drummer Boy" with David Bowie from Crosby's TV special, and new liner notes. There is also ''The Very Best of Bing Crosby Christmas'' (Decca).

Brenda Lee's ''Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree: The Decca Christmas Recordings'' (Decca) is the first comprehensive CD of all of her 18 Christmas recordings. Two songs are making their CD debut and three are issued in the U.S. for the first time. And ''The Very Best of Burl Ives Christmas'' (Decca) makes its debut with five songs on CD for the first time.

Nat King Cole's ''The Christmas Song'' (Capitol) has two new tracks plus a re-mastered version of the title track as a duet with his daughter Natalie Cole. There is also a 1946 version of "The Christmas Song [Merry Christmas To You]" which never appeared on the original, and can be found as a hidden track. His daughter Natalie Cole performs with the London Symphony Orchestra on her second holiday album, The Magic of Christmas (Elektra).

Two potentially hot selling CDs due on Nov. 23 are ''Garth Brooks [ tickets ] & the Magic of Christmas'' (Capitol Nashville), which includes two original songs, and Kenny G's second holiday album, ''Faith - A Holiday Album'' (Arista), an all-instrumental CD that includes one original tune, ''Eternal Light (A Chanukah Song).'' His first seasonal album, 1994's ''Miracle,'' sold over 8 million copies.

And there's more. The following is an overview of more recordings available this holiday season:

Country:

Reba McEntire - ''Secret of Giving: A Christmas Collection'' (MCA)

Riders in the Sky - ''Christmas The Country Way'' (Rounder)

Paul Brandt - ''A Paul Brandt Christmas: Shall I Play For You'' (Reprise)

George Strait - ''Merry Christmas Wherever You Are'' (MCA Nashville)

Kenny Rogers - ''Christmas Wishes For Kenny'' (EMI) - Rogers is on a holiday tour Nov. 24-Dec. 23

Bill Engvall - ''Here's Your Christmas Album'' (Warner Bros.)

Martina McBride - ''White Christmas'' (RLG)

R&B:

Various Artists - ''Smooth Grooves: A Sensual Christmas'' (Rhino) - compilation features James Brown, The Ohio Players, The Jackson 5 and Gladys Knight

Bobby Womack - ''Traditions'' (The Right Stuff/EMI) - contains duet version of "Dear Santa Claus" with his daughter

Rock:

Mojo Nixon & the Toadliquors - ''Horny Holidays'' (Triple X)

Gary Hoey - ''Ho! Ho! Hoey'' (Surfdog)

Pop:

Michael Crawford - ''In The Moon of Christmas Time: Christmas with Michael Crawford'' (Atlantic)

Dan Fogelberg - ''The First Christmas Morning'' (Chicago)

Mitch Miller - ''Mitch Miller and the Gang Sing Along'' (Columbia/Legacy) - '50s style karaoke, first time on CD

Julie Andrews - ''Christmas With Julie Andrews'' (Legacy) - first time on CD

Various Artists - ''Touched By An Angel: The Christmas Album'' - features Della Reese (of the TV show by the same name), Randy Travis, Amy Grant, Donna Summer, Kenny Lattimore and Keb' Mo

Jazz:

Fourplay - ''Snowbound'' (Warner Bros.) - Fourplay is Bob James, Larry Carlton, Nathan East and Harvey Mason

Various Artists - ''A Jazz Noel'' (Windham Hill Jazz) - includes Michael Franks, Spyro Gyra, Earl Klugh, Etta James, Special EFX

Various Artists - ''Jingle Bell Swing'' (Columbia/Legacy) - features Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Tony Bennett, Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea

New Age:

Various Artists - ''Winter Solstice on Ice'' (Windham Hill) - features George Winston, Jim Brickman, Jeffrey Osborne, Roberta Flack, Peabo Bryson and Yanni; holiday tour Nov. 26-Jan. 16; holiday TV special airs Dec. 4 on A&E

David Lanz - ''The Christmas Album'' (Narada)

Contemporary Christian:

Amy Grant - ''A Christmas to Remember'' (A&M) - on holiday tour Nov. 26-Dec. 22

Kathy Troccoli - ''A Sentimental Christmas'' (Reunion)

Point of Grace - ''A Christmas Story'' (Word)

Irish:

Various Artists - ''Celtic Christmas: Peace on Earth'' (Windham Hill)

Paddy Moloney - ''Silent Night: A Christmas in Rome'' (Wicklow) - Guests include the Chieftains, Marie Brennan, Sissel & Zucchero

Children:

''How The Grinch Stole Christmas,'' narrated by Boris Karloff (Kid Rhino)

The Olsen Twins - ''Mary Kate & Ashley's Cool Yule of Christmas Party With Friends'' (Kid Rhino)

Various Artists - ''First Christmas Record For Children'' (Harmony/Columbia/Legacy) - includes Capt. Kangaroo, Gene Autry, Arthur Godfrey and Doris Day

Original Cast Recording:

''Nuncrackers'' (DRG) - The Nunsense Christmas Musical

Video:

''VH1 Pop-Up Video Christmas'' - 7 videos by Ru Paul, Wendy and Carnie Wilson, Run-DMC, Mariah Carey, Squeeze, Buster Poindexter and Billy Squier

Hannukah:

Various Artists - ''Festival of Lights 2'' (Six Degrees) - includes Peter Himmelman, They Might Be Giants, Dave Koz, Wayne Horvitz/Robin Holcomb, and the Klezmatics

Various Artists - ''A Taste of Chanukah featuring Theodore Bikel'' (Rounder)