• Giving a man an original and interesting birthday present is a regular challenge experienced by gift-givers every day; ideally, you want to give something which will invoke an immediate positive reaction, but will also be unexpected enough to surprise the recipient. While there are unlimited possibilities for this, it's possible to narrow down your options by considering a few areas of inspiration.
  
  

Unique Personalized Items

• The Internet has brought about a huge availability of personalized presents; these range from custom-made t-shirts, hats, mugs, to items such as calendars (whereby you can upload pictures which the birthday guy would find especially thoughtful or funny). Depending on the personality of the recipient, these custom presents could help preserve a memory (such as a clock with a photo of him on his favorite holiday), or be part of an elaborate joke (such as a set of playing cards featuring particularly ridiculous pictures of him).
  
  

Just for Thrills

• There are companies that offer gift packages for events and experiences, such as the opportunity to drive a race car around a track, go paintballing, or experience floating in a wind-tank. For the more reserved, a voucher for an interesting restaurant or a tour of a brewery could make a great day out for the recipient.
  
  

Classes

• Gyms will often offer vouches for classes which they teach; this could be a great gift, especially if it allows for flexibility in which class is selected. Learning a new skill can be fun and beneficial for men of all ages, and they'll always associate learning it with you. If you possess a talent which you know he's interested in, you could offer to teach him over a period of several weeks.
  
  

Use your Talent

• If you know how to play an instrument, write a song for the birthday man (even get it recorded and made into a CD). If you're an artist, paint a picture of an important place from his childhood. If you're a good cook, give him a "coupon" for you to make him a dinner for two .