At my cousin’s shower, one tiny satin thong set off a domino line of spot‑on guesses—proof this game clicks when you set it up right. You’ll ask each guest to bring one wrapped pair, tuck a name note inside, toss them in a basket, then use printable clue cards to match maker to undies, fast. Points, short timers, opaque bags, small prize—the works. Here’s how to run it tight and keep the giggles rolling.
Key Takeaways
- Print customizable guess cards and tags on 8.5×11 cardstock at 100% scale; color-code rounds; share files privately; avoid reposting templates.
- Each guest brings one wrapped pair with a name note inside; tag with a bold number and display in a basket or on a clothesline.
- Assign roles—host, collector/labeler, and scorekeeper—and prep pens, clothespins, sealable bags, timer, and a small prize.
- Bride has 15 seconds per guess to match underwear to guests; score 1 point per correct match, with optional bonus for style details.
- Tuck used cards in envelopes, keep tally with two buddies, crown the winner, and capture quick photo ops with simple backdrops.
What You’ll Need
Just a handful of basics will set you up, nothing fussy. You’ll want a mix of cute underwear in different sizes and vibes, a stack of printable cards, some pens that don’t quit, and a basket or cloth bag to keep everything tidy. Toss in number stickers or small tags, clothespins, and a ribbon or short line for hanging, because a display goes a long way and photographs better than a pile on a chair.
Think through budget considerations early, so you know whether you’re springing for silky sets or keeping it playful with cotton and clever patterns, and pick one small prize that feels like a wink, not a splurge. Check venue permissions before you pack; some bars side‑eye hanging things, and rentals may want tape that won’t scuff paint. Bring a phone tripod for snaps, Sharpie for names, and a zip pouch for tags and receipts.
Game Setup
Start by pulling your supplies and printables together, like simple guess cards you can print at home, a marker for each guest, clothespins or gift bags for holding the undies, and a plain basket for the reveal, nothing fancy but it all works. Count who’s coming and assign clear roles so it runs smooth, with you as host and emcee, one pal as collector and labeler, and another as scorekeeper and judge if the bride’s busy grinning; eight to twelve guests is easy to wrangle, but scale up by adding a helper. Gather underwear sizes ahead of time with a quick, private text and set a theme that keeps it fun and doable—think black lace, bold colors, polka dots, or funny slogans—and ask for a size range that fits real bodies (XS to XL, or specific numbers), tags on and receipts kept just in case.
Supplies and Printables
A solid setup makes this game easy to run and more fun to play, so gather the basics before guests roll in: a mix of undies (different styles, colors, and price points), a stack of printable guess cards, one simple instruction sign, and a few pens that actually write. Print cards on sturdy cardstock, add high-contrast colors, and offer accessibility formats like large type or a QR code. Mind copyright considerations; use templates you own or are licensed, and don’t repost files.
- Numbered tags or mini clothespins to label each pair.
- Sealable bags for clean handling and sneaky reveals.
- Tape, safety pins, and a lint roller—tiny fixes, big calm.
- A clipboard and timer; tally on a sharable sheet or form.
Guest Count and Roles
Once your kit’s packed, think about how many people you’ll wrangle and who does what, because that’s what keeps the game smooth instead of squirrelly. Aim for eight to fourteen; smaller feels cozy, bigger needs lanes. Lock RSVPs early and set Plus One Etiquette in one line: partners join the toast, not the guessing, unless the bride says otherwise. Assign clear jobs: an emcee to steer, a timekeeper with a loud timer, a scorekeeper, a photographer, and a gift wrangler who guards the ribbons. Watch for Role Conflicts; if the maid of honor emcees, let someone else tally, so she can banter. For mega groups, split into pods with one lead per pod. Add a shared album and a QR sign-in, and you’re slick.
Underwear Sizes and Themes
Sizing comes first, because nothing sours a guessing game like cute underwear that won’t fit. You’ll set the tone by asking the bride for her current sizes, her no-go styles, and a couple favorites, then you’ll tell guests plainly. Aim for Size inclusivity so nobody’s stuck hunting unicorns at the mall, and keep returns easy with gift receipts. Think Fabric choices early—cotton for everyday, silk for luxe, mesh for playful; the drawer needs range, not repeats.
- Pick a theme pair per guest: colors, cities, or inside jokes; label the tag with your hint.
- Mix cuts on purpose—briefs, bikinis, thongs, boyshorts—so guesses aren’t obvious.
- Set a price cap and store list; it reins in chaos.
- Pack each pair in opaque bags; mystery matters. Always true.
Step-by-Step How to Play
First, set the table: lay out a cute basket or clothesline with clips, a stack of blank tags and pens, simple score cards, and a mix of underwear gifts wrapped in plain tissue so no one can spot the brand or the joke from across the room. Then play it straight—read the tag or a short clue, let the bride guess who brought each pair, and give her one point for every correct match, with a bonus point if the note nails the giver’s style, like “polka dots for the girl who never met a thrift store she didn’t like.” Keep a simple tally, use a bowl for used tags so you don’t double count, and name a winner at the end with a tiny prize, even if it’s just a fancy chocolate you hid in your purse for exactly this moment.
Prep and Materials
A handful of simple supplies sets you up right: tell guests to bring one new pair of underwear that feels like the bride’s vibe, set a clear budget cap (say $10–$20), and share her size up front so no one has to guess in the aisle. Do quick Budget planning, choose a simple color story, and set a drop spot, like a basket or hat box, so pieces stay tidy. Print clue cards and labels ahead, and bring clothespins, pens, and tape that sticks. Build a Cleanup strategy too, because confetti travels.
- One cute container for drop‑offs, plus spare tissue.
- Printed cards, markers, clothespins, and tape.
- Index list of guests and their gifts.
- A tote with trash bags, lint roller, stain stick, and wipes.
Gameplay and Scoring
Gathering everyone up, you kick off the round by sending the bride to the kitchen for a minute while you tag each wrapped pair with a bold number, pin them to a ribbon or line, and stack the clue cards in order so you’re not shuffling like a bad magician. Bring her back, read the first clue, and let her point to a number and name the owner, then flip and reveal. Score one for a match and a bonus for style or color. Use a 30‑second timer, quick cheers, and light teasing to steer player psychology and boost audience engagement.
| Phase | Timer | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Read clue | 30s | 0 |
| Bride guess | 30s | 1(+1) |
| Owner story | 20s | 0 |
Tally aloud, crown the winner, and hand prize.
Rules and Scoring
Lay it out plain: each guest brings one wrapped pair of underwear, slips her name on a tiny note inside, and drops it in the basket, then you pass them to the bride one by one while she guesses who brought which. Set clear rules so the room stays kind and the points stay clean.
Each guest brings wrapped undies with her name inside; bride guesses the giver.
- Time: give the bride 15 seconds per guess, keep it moving with a gentle ding.
- Scoring: 1 point for a correct match, 2 if she adds the style, like “black boyshorts from Jess.”
- Score Verification: appoint two tally buddies with a simple grid, call totals after each round.
- Dispute Resolution: if a name note’s missing, take a quick show of hands, or toss that pair back.
Highest score wins a small prize, think candle or coffee card, then snap a quick champion photo for the memory book later on.
Fun Variations and Twists
Once you’ve got the rules humming, start layering in twists that fit your crowd and the bride’s vibe. Try Mystery Boxes on the gift table, three bags with clues taped on, like “laundry day,” “midnight snack,” and “road trip,” and let guessers swap a box for a sure point or risk it for a double, which sounds bold until someone pulls socks and a granola bar, and yes, that happened. Add Wildcard Cards in the deck of prompts so a player can steal a guess, pass a dud to a friend, or force the bride to give one extra hint, sweet, no speeches.
Play lightning rounds where every guess has ten seconds, phones down, timer loud, and you’ll hear those honest gut calls. Run a “designer or dime-store” side bet, winner picks the next category, and keep a simple tally so the room stays loose, quick, and fun.
Free Printable Cards
While you could scribble prompts on scrap paper, free printable cards keep the game tidy, fast, and cute without eating your budget or your afternoon. Grab a template, print on cardstock, and you’re set, no craft drawer meltdown, no markers. The designs look polished, the sizes match, and you can reprint if someone spills sangria, which they will.
Here’s how to use them well:
- Download a PDF, set scale to 100%, and print on 8.5×11 cardstock, then slice along the guides with a kitchen knife and ruler.
- Personalize files before printing, add the bride’s name and date, and color-code cards for rounds and roles.
- Keep Privacy Considerations in mind, use initials on guesses, and tuck used cards in envelopes instead of posting them.
- Practice Digital Etiquette, share the file in your group chat, not public feeds, and send a quick note on printing specs.
Tips for Different Vibes (Sweet to Spicy)
Because the best round lands when it fits the room, start by picking a vibe that matches the bride and the guest list, then tune the game pieces to that dial. For sweet, keep the cards cute—pastels, soft fonts, cupid doodles—and write prompts about inside jokes, first-date jitters, or cozy nights in. Set Music choices to pop and oldies you sing to, and ask for Dress codes like jean jackets and sneakers, so nobody feels on display.
If you want flirty, nudge the spice: bolder colors, cheeky prompts, a candle or two, and a playlist with R&B and disco. For full-on spicy, go sleek black, daring prompts with clear yes/no rules, and bass-heavy beats. Use a code word to pause, keep water handy, and seat the bride somewhere she can see faces. Mix guests in pairs to read, rotate fast, and stop while folks still want one more.
Prizes, Favors, and Photo Ops
Even if you keep the game simple, you’ll want small prizes, easy favors, and a plan for photos so the fun sticks after the last card is read. Think useful, not fussy, and set it up so you can hand things out fast and keep the energy moving. A sharp Prize Presentation can be as basic as a tray with ribbons, a bell, and a quick cheer, which sounds corny until you see eyes light up.
- Pick prizes that get used: lip oil, mini fabric steamer, stain stick pens, travel candles, cute socks.
- Make favors double as props, like satin fans, tiny veils, or heart sunglasses; they pull weight in pics.
- Stage simple Photo Backdrops with painter’s tape, foil fringe, and one bold sign; test the light first.
- Capture moments: one friend shoots, one wrangles; do a group shot, a “winning pair” close-up, and a goofy pile at midnight.