What should be placed on the table when greeting guests?

When greeting guests, placing a beverage napkin on the table serves a practical and welcoming function. It provides a spot for guests to place their drinks and helps to manage potential spills, contributing to a neat presentation. The use of a beverage napkin is standard in hospitality settings as it signifies readiness to accommodate guests and enhances the overall dining experience by ensuring comfort and cleanliness.

While a full place setting is essential for a complete dining experience, it's typically reserved for when the meal is being served rather than the initial greeting. A welcome card, although thoughtful, does not serve a practical purpose for the gathering in terms of immediate physical hospitality. Similarly, offering a complimentary drink can be a kind gesture, but it's not a standard practice when simply greeting guests at the table. Thus, the beverage napkin stands out as the most appropriate and functional item to place on the table upon greeting guests.