I have a wooden nightstand that I like to put drinks on. I was always afraid if I spilled it, it would damage the wood. So, I had a thrifty idea, you can put a placemat on the nightstand.
I use salad plates, candy dishes and ashtrays--anything made of glass and china, wider than saucers and low-slung. You can find them for very little at thrift stores.
The more artistic they are, the better.