Where did the gum wrapper go?

June 9, 2006 9:34 AM

Gum wrappers. Where did they go? I've got a gum wrapper chain (about 30-40 feet right now) that I used to work on during particularly boring conference calls. It was a great distraction - easy to start and stop, great as an office conversation piece. Here's the problem. Wrigley doesn't seem to make gum wrappers anymore! Instead of the 2-part packaging (wrapper + foil) that was once standard, now they just use foil. No wrappers = no gum wrapper chain. So how do I find more wrappers? Are there any non-Wrigley gum manufacturers out there that still use wrappers? I've check EBay, but the majority of offerings there seem to be for vintage wrappers. I'm just looking for the standard kind.
posted by Mirandala to sports, hobbies, & recreation (13 comments total)

Hmm. I buy those wrigley "Plen-T packs" or whatever they're called -- the ones that have about 25 pieces of gum in them, and they have paper wrappers. They're plain, not printed, but they're there.
posted by JanetLand at 9:48 AM on June 9, 2006

Have you tried Beeman's or BlackJack?
It's been a couple years since I've chewed them, but they USED to have the individual stick wrappers you seek.
posted by Floydd at 9:50 AM on June 9, 2006

I'll check the Plen-T packs out, for sure. I was using the wrappers from Extra packs before - and those have definitely gone wrapper-free. Obviously, plain wrappers won't create the same colorful effect for the chain, but a switch from color to all-white could be dramatic...
posted by Mirandala at 9:52 AM on June 9, 2006

Aren't the Plen-T Pack wrappers glued together (and to the external foil packaging)? I don't think I've pulled the paper part out with the foil in the last few years.
posted by lowlife at 10:18 AM on June 9, 2006

I'll check out the Beeman's and Black Jack brands - thanks for the suggestion!
posted by Mirandala at 10:23 AM on June 9, 2006

I make gum wrapper chains out of starburst candy wrappers. Works just as well.
posted by jazon at 10:45 AM on June 9, 2006

BlackBlack Gum has paper wrappers, and caffeine, too!
posted by oats at 11:09 AM on June 9, 2006

Wow, I love BlackBlack and had no idea you could get it on ThinkGeek. Thanks oats!
posted by Venadium at 11:59 AM on June 9, 2006

i think if you buy the box of vending packs from costco or sam's club or BJ's that they still have the paper wrappers. i have not checked in a year or so but when i was more active with my gum wrapper chain, i had the same problem. plus they are the good, thick paper wrappers, not those thin shiny lame one. but that could have changed too.
the plenty-packs get dull looking i must say.

a shame you asked now as i threw out at least a couple hundred wrappers last week. just had no time to add to my chain. oh well.
posted by annoyance at 12:03 PM on June 9, 2006

lowlife: For me, the foil comes out fine. I've been making a foil-only chain as an Xmas tree garland.
posted by codswallop at 12:16 PM on June 9, 2006

Okay, but how do you make these gum wrapper chains, anyway?
Inquiring minds want to know.
posted by exceptinsects at 12:58 PM on June 9, 2006

The guy with the longest chain has a tutorial up that's pretty good (click on the "Build" section). Thanks for all the suggestions!
posted by Mirandala at 1:13 PM on June 9, 2006

I just bought a pack of Extra that has this kind of wrapper.
posted by Sheppagus at 3:11 PM on June 9, 2006