It was 1963 and we called it a Boyfriend Chaser. I’m not sure where it got that name, but you were supposed to make it as long as your boyfriend was tall.
My cousin from the city was making one. Everything my cousin from the city did was cool, or so I thought.
It was a gum wrapper chain. Made by unfolding gum wrappers, folding them and refolding them, and inserting each folded wrapper into the next folded wrapper. Several of us started to make them, but I was the only one that became obsessed with the project. My friends saved gum wrappers for me. My mom and dad saved gum wrappers for me. Kids at school who I didn’t really know saved them for me. They would bring bags of them to school and just hand them to me and I would go home and fold and put them together. When I finished folding it was over 52 feet long…I didn’t really have a boyfriend so I just kept going and going and going. I remember almost throwing it away at least a dozen times and then…. finally…. I did. Wish I had kept it!
If you are really interested here’s a link I found that shows how to make them…. Happy Chewing!
http://www.gumwrapper.com/build.ht
Found this after I posted… how cute!
Retired Ruth 
I HAVE A PHOTO OF THE GUY WITH THE WORLD’S RECORD LENGTH “BOYFRIEND CHASER”- E-MAIL ME AND I’LL ATTACH IT FOR YOUR WEBSITE – I THINK YOUR GUEST WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE RECORD – THANKS, MICHAEL
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I had one…Doublemint!
A few years ago I used dollar bills to make a chain for a fun stocking stuffer. It was a hit!
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What a great idea…. thanks for sharing that!
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I definitely remember these! I think I tried making one but never stuck at it like you did yours 🙂 What I didn’t remember was that they were called “boyfriend chaser” what an interesting idea. Besides your link above, I noticed that there are also other youTube videos on how to make them! They must still be popular – there is even a Guinness Book of World Record entry!
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Really? I will have to check that out. Thanks for the information!
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I love this reminder! I used to be so jealous of the older girls who made these. I wanted to learn how, but was just a kid and stuck at camp weaving those plastic laces.
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For some reason, the Gum Wrapper Chain, has been one of my most popular posts! Isn’t it funny how you cannot predict things like that? As a teen, I never knew people around the world were doing the same things I was doing!
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My good friend used to have one – not sure how long but it was never-ending it seemed. I need to write and ask her if she still has it 🙂 Fond memories you share that spark ones I have/had.
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I used to make those all the time. They are great to epoxy and use as cupholders or hot pads.
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Great idea. Never thought of actually using the darn thing… again I wish I had kept it. Would at least have some vintage Gum Wrappers!
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You are welcom Caddo…. Glad there are still others around that remember my memories!
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This was exactly the light spot I needed today–I’d completely forgotten about those gum wrapper chains!! They were so fun! Though I don’t recall a connection to boyfriends–maybe I was too young. Thanks so much!
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Do a search on QVC.com for Nahui Ollin. You will kick yourself for throwing your chain out.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and liking the 19th anniversary post.
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I have seen these, but never tried to make one. Don’t we always wish we had something we threw away in a fit of organization?
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