I need ideas for backgrounds and props for a Christmas Party photo?!

Fun! I would stay away from pillars or those arch things, in my opinion they tend to look like chintzy (sp) in photos.

I would use either a dark red background or even black, depending on your props. I would really keep the props somewhat simple if it were me.

How about doing like a park scene with a park bench that ppl could sit on instead of the usual standing pose. Then your photos could be closer up too. You could use a bench you might have at the office or get someone to bring one from home. Decorate it with greenery and red bows on the ends, scatter snow on the floor. Have a couple of those skinny Christmas trees in the background and then also use your idea of bare trees with snow & lights.

Or you could keep it even simpler and do some oversized ornaments in all different colors, you could buy or make them. Then hang them from the ceiling with fishing line at different lengths and also place some on the floor. Tie pretty ribbons on each ornament.

Flickr photos might be a good idea