I need some help from my fellow decorators. I have a client that has booked cakes for the rest of the year for her employees birthdays. The problem I am running into is that most of them are men. Sometimes she wants a highly detailed cake that has something to do with their occupation. And other times she wants it to be basic with "Happy Birthday". With girls basic is easy, just add buttercream roses. But for a man, what do you do? It just seems like piping an 8" round with an open star tip is a bit boring. What do you all do for basic cakes? Do you have gender neutral designs? Or am I over analyzing this? Haha any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Usually I just make them decadent looking... dripping chocolate and drizzled carmel or something like that. Stripes work for guys too. Either vertical (which is easier) or horizontal would work well in masculine colors. That is attanable in buttercream too which is nice. Polka dot are nice for guys too.

there are soooo many options for this idea. Does every cake need to be an 8" round? Try using different shape pans for one thing. Now is a good time to try new and different techniques you have always wanted to
Here are some ideas I used when I did office cakes: http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2104049/an-aldonska-knockoff
Leave off the flowers on the lower part and put the writting there.
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1394125/chocolate-cupcake-cake
Try a cupcake cake once
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1364098/down-hill
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1362727/mans-design
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1319367/generic-design-for-man
Do some very fancy writting ^^^
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1362506/best-wishes
change the colors & wording
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1351608/generic-mans-birthday
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1350853/generic-stripes-for-men
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1349769/all-chocolate
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1333233/hot-dog-birthday-time
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1319377/diamonds-for-grandpa
designs like ^^^ this could be adapted to a round
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1340957/generic-mens-design
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1332863/chocolate-birthday-sheet
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1333239/all-sport-balls-birthday
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1182176/blue-green-for-a-man
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1172206/count-the-candles
Put fondant candles around the sides of the cake w/the message on top
These are just a few of the many, many ways one can go. There are soooooo many good ideas out there. Now is the time to let your creativity shine! Check the galleries for more ideas.

Thanks you so much for the suggestions. I will give them a try. My client has asked that the cakes always be 8" rounds unless otherwise changed. But I will tailor these ideas to do what o can. Thanks guys!