To be able to round up your nearest and dearest and whisk them off to a private island to celebrate your birthday must be an almost unanimous dream, however, it's a viable possibility for very few.
Factor in the fact that, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, there are PCR tests, quarantines and periods of isolation to contend with, and that birthday retreat feels like even more of an impossibility.
But not for Kim Kardashian. While many of us have been attending eight months of Zoom birthday celebrations, the reality TV star rounded up her closest family and friends and took them to a private island for her 40th birthday.
The mother-of-four marked her birthday on October 21 and, a week later, shared an insight into her celebrations on Twitter.
"Forty and feeling so humbled and blessed. There is not a single day that I take for granted, especially during these times when we are all reminded of the things that truly matter," she wrote, sharing a photo with four of her five five siblings, Khloe, Kourtney and Rob Kardashian and Kendall Jenner.
40 and feeling so humbled and blessed. There is not a single day that I take for granted, especially during these times when we are all reminded of the things that truly matter. pic.twitter.com/p98SN0RDZD
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) October 27, 2020
The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star added: "For my birthday this year, I couldn't think of a better way to spend it than with some of the people who have helped shaped me into the woman I am today."
Notably, her husband Kanye West and children, North, 7, Saint, 4, Chicago, 2, and Psalm, 1, are missing from the photos she posted on social media.
She then went on to detail how her birthday came together, writing: "Before Covid, I don’t think any of us truly appreciated what a simple luxury it was to be able to travel and be together with family and friends in a safe environment.
"After two weeks of multiple health screens and asking everyone to quarantine, I surprised my closest inner circle with a trip to a private island where we could pretend things were normal just for a brief moment in time."
After 2 weeks of multiple health screens and asking everyone to quarantine, I surprised my closest inner circle with a trip to a private island where we could pretend things were normal just for a brief moment in time. pic.twitter.com/cIFP7Nv5bV
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) October 27, 2020
As well as the island-themed beach party, which was pulled together by wedding and event planner Mindy Weiss and documented on social media, Kim detailed the activities that guests enjoyed on the trip, saying: "We danced, rode bikes, swam near whales, kayaked, watched a movie on the beach and so much more."
She concluded the message, "I realise that for most people, this is something that is so far out of reach right now, so in moments like these, I am humbly reminded of how privileged my life is."
As well as her siblings, a number of notable members of her clique can be seen in the photos, including Scott Disick and Tristan Thompson, ex-partners of Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian, respectively; Kourtney's eldest son, Mason, 10; Kim's mother and her partner, Kris Jenner and Corey Gamble; Palestinian model Fai Khadra; Kim's PA and friend Stephanie Shepherd; and family friend La La Anthony.
Backlash from fans: 'Most tone deaf tweet of the year'
The "humble" post has not gone down well on social media.
People have labelled her message "tone deaf", with many telling her to "read the room".
cool, people have had to say goodbye to loved ones over the phone while they died alone in a hospital. but neat trip to post all over social media while the world suffers. so humble and so down to earth, truly.
— Jenna Quigley (@JBomb11) October 27, 2020
"Congrats on this nomination for most tone-deaf tweet of the year. You want normal? Try people unemployed, at food banks, teaching kids at home, or worse in the hospital by the tens of thousands! Oh the plight of the wealthy and their struggle to an escape to a private island," wrote @beyondbrighton.
The messaged was echoed by @Cali_Girl090, who wrote: "Yes, it is extremely humble of you to announce you got to take everyone you know to a private island, on private planes, while 226,000 Americans are dead and millions without jobs / losing their homes."
Special attention was focused on a member of the island's staff, who can be seen in one photo wearing a mask.
"Nice to see you at least had the help wear masks on the private island," wrote @FirenzeMike.
Mask up, poors! pic.twitter.com/KtHdTjjE03
— Gavin Eugene Short II (@big_bruiser) October 27, 2020
Not everyone was quick to criticise Kim, however. Some fans came to her defence, with one saying: "I don't think she meant to brag or gloat by posting this, it could just be that she wasn't aware of how it may be perceived, an honest mistake!"
I say good for you. If I had the means, I’d probably do the same. People criticizing you gave you the fame and the means to live a privileged life. Screw ‘em.
— Hal Kolsky (@hal_kolsky) October 27, 2020
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Kanye West tells Joe Rogan: 'My calling is to be the leader of the free world'
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