Formats played and budget?
He plays the typical beginner stuff, just casual with no real expensive cards
Budget around $20-40 bucks.
You can go for some fat boxes, they sell for about 30-40 euros so the price should still be around your budget after EUR-USD
conversion.
This is the most "conventional" present I can think off that offers a little thrill and fun by cracking the boosters.
If you go this way, go for either Aether Revolt, Kaladesh, Battle for Zendikar or Oath of the Gatewatch because of Inventions and Expedition series cards (my personal preference is Aether Revolt > Battle for Zendikar > Kaladesh > Oath of the Gatewatch, based on the average EV of the boosters).
If you're looking for a more personal/intimate gift, I suggest looking for some altered single cards, maybe a multiformat staple like Lightining Bolt, so that your gift won't go in the chimney as fuel for the
fire the day your friend goes deeper into MtG.
Here:
https://it.magiccardmarket.eu/?mainPage=browseAltered you can find a nice collection of altered cards for sale, or you could contact an artist yourself and order a commission (you have to ask around for contacts, tho).
Care about the shipping time, (MKM usually takes 3 days+ for a money bank transfer + some days for the shipping, so the gift may come too late).