IS there a way to give a list it's own background?

So, would it be possible to give a simple <ul> its own background? or would it have to be in a table?

Why don't you apply a CSS background style to your <ul> or <li> tags and find out? :D

i.e.,

<ul style="background-color:#??????"></ul>

or nest the <ul> tags in <div> tags:

<div style="background-color:#??????">
<ul></ul>
</div>

The ul is basically a block level element and can be given the usual background treatment with CSS properties (color, image, etc.); there's no need to wrap it in another container.
You may have to twiddle with padding and margins a bit, though, since various browsers use different methods to achieve the familiar indenting.