Looks good. Based on the criticism you gave yourself regarding the dust etc. seems you already know the answers to your major problems.
As for the colors of the photos, check your white balance. Also, bounce your light or use a diffuser over them. The lights are washing out some of your detail.
Personaly, I like more color in the skin tones and some darker tones under the eyes, the hollows of the cheeks, under the cheek bones, under the fold lines of the face would make his face stand out a little more and give it some more depth and character. Not much, a little bit goes a long way at this scale.
But for the dust, I think your friend will like his gift. Definately start up a few conversations at the party.
Mike
"Imagination is the dye that colors our lives"
Marcus Aurellius
A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!"