How many courses do you think we should have for dinner? And what sizes etc should they be?!
Answers:
Appetizer, soup, salad, entree with sides, cheese and fruit, coffee and dessert.
For what occasion??
My husband and I usually just have a main course. And then maybe a bite of dessert later in front of the TV.
For a dinner party, I usually like to serve a starter (or have a help-yourself appetiser before we sit at the table) then a main, then a dessert.
I have also had a tapas-style buffet dinner party, where everything was served at once. Only certain types of food are suited to that, of course.
It really depends who you're feeding, how many, and why...
You need to decide:
How many people and what ages - young adults will consume far more food than people over 40
If children are included that also changes the menu (I wouldn't feed kids at a dinner with adults)
The season - people eat less in hot weather than warm. Also what fruits and veg are available at that time of year
I serve drinks and nuts and maybe one other small tidbit
Pasta or soup or salad
Main course of meat, poultry or fish and a side vegetable (nothing starchy if pasta is served first)
A great dessert and coffee
Cheese plates aren't usually served in the U.S. I think we find it too much after dinner.
Depends on the people coming to dinner, the occasion for the dinner and what do you want the dinner to be about.
If it's just for you and your immediate housemates or family, do what you wish and enjoy.
When we were children we would normally eat supper in the kitchen as a group. But to teach us a more formal way of dining, on Sundays, the dining room and all the accoutrements would be utilized. Our church clothes (much more non-casual than they are in most places today) would be accepted at the dining room table. If we were not dressed for church than we would dress for dinner.
So, figure out what the reason is for your meal and go from there.
You are apparently the hostess? Do what you want and your guests should be appreciative. I personally prefer a tapas set up so people can mingle though.