UK Birthdays

I have a friend from England, he's soon going to turn 23 and I don't know how to congratulate him. I know I have to say Happy birthday, the problem is, I'm not English, I don't know how they do that, do guys buy gifts to each other? do they buy beer? is it wrong to hand them a present? (I mentioned that I'm going to buy him a gift and I didn't get what his reaction was on the topic, he laughed a little.

We've been friends for quiet a while now, but I'm not comfortable asking about this to him directly.

I'm really confused here, If someone could help that would mean the world to me.