In “Ask A&C,” University of Mississippi students ask questions about university and Oxford life, and members of the arts and culture writing staff answer with their personal takes. This week, sophomore exercise science major Avery Stewart asked: “What’s your favorite Easter tradition?”
Aaron Barrow
While a tough choice, I would have to say that dyeing eggs with my family the night before Easter is my favorite Easter moment. The dyeing and decorating in and of itself is neat, but the real treat comes once Easter is passed and I get to crack them bad boys open before treating myself to some hard-boiled eggs.
Nate Donohue
Eating exorbitant amounts of candy is my favorite Easter tradition. My favorite candy is Starburst Jelly Beans, but I am also a huge fan of Cadbury Mini Eggs, Hershey bunnies and Peeps (especially the ones that are dipped in chocolate). Jelly beans are actually one of my favorite foods ever, but I only ever get to eat them during Easter season. Therefore, I try to consume as many as possible before they disappear from shelves.
Paleif Raspberry
My favorite Easter tradition would be getting visits from the Easter Bunny. No, I do not believe in the Easter Bunny anymore. However, I love keeping kids’ beliefs about magical creatures and forces alive. Believing in something magical and wholesome has given me so many great memories and has partially made me into who I am today: a faithful and imaginative person.
Jane Dunn
While this is kind of basic, my favorite Easter activity has to be a good old-fashioned egg hunt. From sitting inside while the eggs are being hidden to running around racing all my cousins, it is all such good fun. Growing up, I remember the long minutes it took the adults to actually do the hiding. My cousins and I would all be sitting in our circles guessing where the golden egg would be hidden that year, though never giving our real guess away in case someone would beat us to it. As an adult, I love to see the kids of the next generation experiencing the same thing I did.
Lydia Waters
My favorite Easter tradition would have to be the Easter lunch I have after church. I love going to a good Easter service and getting together with family over a good meal. We will eat foods such as ham, mashed potatoes, rolls and cherry pie. This tradition means a lot because I get to spend quality time with my family after not seeing them much during spring semester.
Gracey Massengill
My family always has an Easter brunch where we open a few gifts. Growing up, the gifts always included a wooden egg that was painted with a milestone of the year. My favorite egg I have received is one with the Harry Potter cast as bunnies; I was obsessed.
Sydney Stepp
The Easter vigil service that takes place the night before Easter Sunday is my favorite Easter tradition. My family’s Easter is normally extremely busy, and sometimes a long Easter service in the morning just is not possible. But with the Easter vigil, we get to partake in an ancient and traditional form of worship during the evening while also celebrating the message of Easter. The use of candles and the procession during the service make it feel just that much more special.
