Corporate records in New York trace Forum Novelties, Inc. to August 22, 1978. Trademark records similarly identify 1978 as the year of the company’s first commercial use.[1]

Foundation and early years

Forum Novelties was established in 1978 within the American novelty and seasonal merchandise sector. Over subsequent decades, it became closely associated with Halloween merchandise, novelty gifts, costumes, masks, tricks, jokes, and accessories.

By 2010, industry trade show materials described Forum as having over 25 years of experience and specialising in costumes, masks, accessories, décor, novelties, and props. Its catalogue had expanded beyond Halloween to include Luau, Mardi Gras, puppets, magic, toys, and other seasonal products.

By 2019, the company reported more than 40 years of industry experience and offered products for occasions including Halloween, Christmas, Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, patriotic celebrations, graduations, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and backyard events.[3]

Expansion into costumes

A significant component of the Forum Novelties identity is its extensive costume and accessory catalogue. Rather than focusing exclusively on conventional Halloween attire, the company developed products covering humorous, historical, fantasy, horror, occupational, cultural, seasonal, and party themes.

Retail descriptions have characterised Forum as a manufacturer, importer, and distributor with a catalogue exceeding 8,000 products, encompassing costumes, accessories, joke and trick items, magic supplies, décor, pet products, toys, and seasonal merchandise.[4]

Relationship with Rubie’s

Forum Novelties has been closely associated with Rubie’s Costume Company. A 2020 bankruptcy court filing by Rubie’s stated that Rubie’s was the sole owner of Forum Novelties Inc. and that Marc P. Beige served as a director of Forum.

This relationship connected Forum to a larger global network for costume design, licensing, manufacturing, and distribution. However, subsequent restructuring and corporate filings complicate the current status. Public corporate records continue to identify Forum Novelties, Inc. as a New York corporation, while a separate entity named FN Wind Down Company, Inc. appeared in later filings.[1]

Forum Novelties has historically operated with a broad product range.

Costumes

Costumes are among the company’s most prominent categories. Examples include:

• Halloween costumes
• Historical costumes
• Fantasy costumes
• Wizard and witch costumes
• Animal and monster costumes
• Character costumes
• Mascot costumes
• Children’s costumes
• Adult costumes
• Holiday costumes
• Party and novelty costumes

The company’s website highlights specific items such as Wizard Costume, Gnome Costume, Egyptian Pharaoh Costume, Day of the Dead costume, mascot costumes, and other character-oriented outfits.[2]

Masks

Masks constitute another key segment of the Forum Novelties catalogue. Current offerings include theatrical, fantasy, horror, animal, and novelty masks. Highlighted examples include Jester, Night Wolf, Ghost, and Hockey masks.[2]

Accessories

Forum produces a wide variety of costume accessories, including:

• Hats and headwear
• Wigs
• Glasses
• Jewellery
• Chains
• Gloves
• Novelty teeth and facial accessories
• Costume weapons and props
• Historical accessories
• Themed party accessories

Products such as the oversized Big Gold Chain are marketed as retro or hip-hop costume accessories.[2]

Halloween and seasonal décor

The company’s business extends beyond wearable items. Seasonal catalogues have included Halloween decorations, lighting, props, fog-related products, tabletop items, lawn decorations, and animatronic-style props.

Archived product listings associated with Spirit Halloween document Forum-branded items such as talking trees, zombies, rats, skull decorations, fog products, Halloween lighting, haunted props, and themed tableware.

Novelty and gag products

The term “Novelties” in the company name reflects its traditional focus on products intended for humour, jokes, parties, pranks, and novelty use rather than purely functional purposes. Historical catalogues included joke and gag products alongside magic items, toys, party goods, costumes, and decorations.[5]

The product philosophy of Forum Novelties centres on transformation and entertainment, enabling individuals to become characters through costumes, masks, props, or accessories.

The company emphasises six core values:

• Creativity
• Inclusivity
• Affordability
• Quality
• Customer satisfaction
• Responsibility

Corporate presentations also highlight a combination of variety and accessible pricing.[2] This approach supports a broad catalogue that includes not only high-end theatrical costumes but also inexpensive accessories and novelty items designed for ordinary parties, Halloween events, school productions, and humorous costumes.

Forum Novelties has historically functioned primarily as a B2B manufacturer and distributor, supplying retailers and wholesalers rather than operating solely as a direct-to-consumer fashion brand.

Industry descriptions characterise the company as a manufacturer, importer, and distributor with merchandise distributed internationally. Trade data documents Forum Novelties Inc. participating in international import and export activity.[5]

This model explains why Forum-branded products appear under various retailers and marketplaces. Consumers may encounter the same Forum Novelties product through different costume shops, Halloween retailers, party stores, and online platforms.

Forum Novelties has maintained a significant presence in the Halloween retail ecosystem. Archived product records from Spirit Halloween identify Forum Novelties products sold between 2002 and 2017, including animated props, lighting, fog products, decorations, accessories, and Halloween tableware.

The company’s reach extends beyond Halloween. Trade show materials from the 2010s show Forum presenting itself as a supplier for a wider range of seasonal occasions.[3]

Forum Novelties maintains trademarks connected with its name and products. Trademark records identify Forum Novelties, Inc. as the owner or applicant of marks associated with its business, with commercial use dating back to 1978.[6]

A 2020 trademark filing for FORUM NOVELTIES INC. described a logo featuring a stylised jester in a star-patterned robe holding a trumpet, with a banner bearing the company name. The filing covered Halloween and masquerade costumes and masks.[7]

The jester imagery connects the brand with traditional concepts of comedy, carnival, disguise, theatricality, and novelty.

Unlike companies built around major entertainment franchises such as Disney or Marvel, Forum Novelties is not primarily a character-licensing brand. Its identity is strongly associated with generic and original costume concepts, novelty products, seasonal merchandise, and themed accessories.

Consequently, a Forum costume often represents a recognisable archetype—such as a wizard, pirate, clown, historical figure, monster, animal, or holiday character—without being tied to a specific fictional franchise. This flexibility allows the brand to maintain a large catalogue of relatively inexpensive products.

Forum Novelties occupies a distinctive position across several segments of the costume market:

• Traditional Halloween retailer: Supplies costumes and decorations associated with Halloween stores.
• Party-supply company: Offers accessories, decorations, gag items, and merchandise for parties beyond Halloween.
• Novelty company: Maintains roots in jokes, tricks, magic, and novelty gifts.
• Costume manufacturer: Places considerable emphasis on costumes and masks in modern presentations.
• Wholesale supplier: Historically conducts much of its business through retailers, wholesalers, and distributors.

The company’s strength lies in breadth rather than a single iconic product, with a large catalogue capable of serving diverse occasions and customer types.

The publicly listed address for Forum Novelties is:

1770 Walt Whitman Road
Melville, New York 11747
United States

This Melville address appears consistently in company and industry records.[2]

The name Forum Novelties reflects the company’s historical emphasis on novelty merchandise rather than conventional apparel. “Forum” evokes a gathering place, while “Novelties” describes the original focus on unusual, entertaining, humorous, and seasonal products.

The jester-based visual identity reinforces this theme. As a traditional symbol of entertainment and playful irreverence, the jester serves as a natural emblem for a company dealing in costumes, disguises, jokes, and party merchandise.[7]

After nearly five decades in business, Forum Novelties remains one of the older continuously recognisable names in the American novelty and costume sector. Documented history reaches back to 1978, with industry descriptions from 2010 characterising the firm as having more than 25 years of experience. By 2019, the company described itself as having more than 40 years in the industry.

Its significance lies in helping build the mass-market ecosystem for Halloween, costume parties, novelty gifts, and seasonal celebrations. Thousands of products have allowed retailers to offer everything from inexpensive gag accessories to complete costumes and elaborate Halloween décor.

As of 2026, the official web presence continues to position Forum Novelties around costumes, masks, party products, and creative seasonal merchandise, while the historical catalogue demonstrates a broader legacy in novelty goods, Halloween décor, props, toys, and seasonal products.[2]

1. Forum Novelties, Inc. in Melville NY – Company Profile
2. Forum Novelties Official Website – Premium Costumes and Masks
3. Toy Fair 2019: Forum Novelties Inc. – About Us
4. Forum Novelties Costumes and Accessories | Heaven Costumes
5. Forum Novelties Inc | SeeBiz
6. FORUM NOVELTIES INC. Trademark Application of Forum Novelties, Inc. – Serial Number 88081100 :: Justia Trademarks
7. FORUM NOVELTIES INC. – Forum Novelties, Inc. Trademark Registration