Or, you could could give him a bunch of little envelopes with memories from your past in each one connected on twine (like a binder you know?). Like this below, but use twine, cause it's cooler.
You could tell him things you admire about him, give him inspirational messages all sorts of awesome stuff that Viking men shouldn't do. But seriously, it would be loved.
Give him hints on when to read it. If you need a laugh, open this, want an old memory read this, want a riddle, read this? He'll have a gift all year long! =)
Don't forget to put a few "I love you's" in there. Cause that's important to say.
You said from the heart!