MASCOT MASH

When you have a giant head and felt limbs, it can be hard to come up with a costume wilder than your usual look.

1 Witty Gritty

Everyone sees the grinning, rambunctious, googly-eyed monster. But do they see inside? Do they know his depth of feeling, the poetry of his soul? The word gritty doesn’t appear in any of the works of Shakespeare. (We actually checked.) But integrity appears 19 times. Close enough?

2 Orange With Envy

Last October was rough for Otto the Orange. While his jack-o’-lantern costume was brilliant, it was too convincing. Three squirrels chewed on his nose, five kids tried to reach in his head for candy, and one guy almost stuck a lit candle in his mouth. What else is orange and spooky? His pal Gritty!

3 Make Like a Tree and Ghost

The biggest problem with being a tree is the wind. The second-biggest problem is expectations. Everyone wants to see an Ent from Lord of the Rings. But don’t expect anything so derivative from the Stanford mascot, who definitely didn’t just forget to buy a costume and grabbed a bed sheet at the last minute.

4 Galaxy Brain

New Yorkers have a reputation for thinking they’re the center of the universe. So credit to Mr. Met to positioning himself merely at the center of our solar system. While he keeps accidentally knocking over decorations, he gets points for using his shape to his advantage, unlike a certain tree . . .

5 Sucking Up

They say dress for the job you want. In that case, Bill Belichick should keep a close eye on Pat Patriot going forward.

After all, I don’t think they had radio headsets and sleeveless hoodies during the Revolutionary War. Pat’s permanent smile, however, kind of ruins any chance of his resembling the legendary coach.