Max Meusen (7) from Budel had one big wish: he wants the same large Christmas tree as in the Grinch film. After having seen the film so many times, he took the plunge and went to the municipality. And he also convinced the councilor to participate.
“I think I have watched the film twelve times,” Max says cheerfully on Friday evening. It is his favorite film, especially because of that beautiful, big tree. “It’s so fun because the Grinch doesn’t really like Christmas at all, but he tries anyway. It’s all about that big tree.”
“Then you have to ask the councilor.”
By now, all the talk about that tree was getting to Mother Debby’s nose. “Then you have to ask the councilor,” she told him. Well, he did. In fact, it now joins the Christmas procession.
“When something like this comes from a child, we always find it very nice,” says councilor Jordy Drieman. He actually had to walk at the front of the procession, together with Max. But he is so cheerful that he rushes to the market in Budel at a breakneck pace.
“I’m just really looking forward to that tree being lit!”, the Grinch fan keeps shouting. He has a string of lights with reindeer around his neck. And on his head, of course, a Santa hat.
“Three, two, one, all the lempkes that go on.”
Together with his schoolmates he rehearsed a song in the Budels dialect. After a chat on the steps, overlooking the Budel market and the gigantic pine tree, Max is lifted onto a chair. “Three, two, one, all the little ones that go on,” the little man sings to the crowd.
And then the time has finally come. A large, red button beckons. Max’s tree is lit.
“It looks nice,” he nods happily. He is very proud that he managed to do this. The Grinch is even included as a mascot.
“Well, actually mom bought the suits herself,” he chuckles. Oh well. His Christmas can’t go wrong anymore.