please give me cake inspiration

[parietal]

I've promised to make a 40th birthday cake for my brother. to serve 12 people so not massive.

I do a lot of kids cakes - castles / animals / pirate ships etc. Mostly plain victoria sponge + masses of icing.

for my brother, there is no obvious theme to put on the cake - he is between jobs and has no particular passion that could be crafted in icing. he likes good food / holidays / wife / dog / baby etc but there is no one 'thing' that should obviously go on the cake

so what kind of cake should I make? chocolate? red velvet? and what kind of decor? please give me your best inspiration.

I made a v good chocolatey one for my DH 50th with just a big 50 in gold on the top. Used this recipe: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2012/nov/21/how-to-cook-the-perfect-chocolate-cake

Chocolate was by request - I think people should be allowed to choose their fav type of cake for birthdays! The 50 was done with a stencil I cut out, and that gold cake glitter spray.

Really chocolatey cake, decorated with big Buttons, curly wurlies and other small chocolate bars.

I really like chocolate cakes and I have several recipes

Antigravity cake looks impressive and easy to make. Cover sides with kit Kats, choc fingers or similar over buttercream. Use smarties, Skittles or maltesers stuck over a straw to give impression they're pouring onto the cake

How about a chequer board cake? Works well with chocolate and plain sponge. Cover it entirely in chocolate ganache so that you get the big reveal when you cut the cake. Easy yet impressive.