In the Chinatown area of New York, in Manhattan's lower east side, shops and restaurants have been decked out in bright lights and red lanterns to attract the holiday hordes.

The area will also play host to a lion and dragon dance performance on Feb 1 to get the Lunar New Year off to a flying start.

Beyond the festivities, many Chinese business owners are hoping the Year of Ox will live up to its name and put the bull back in the US market, which has been badly hit by the global economic meltdown.

One store, which opened just last month, is hoping its innovative take on a traditional product will be the key to success.

Yunhong Chopsticks, as its name suggests, sells chopsticks; all sorts of them.

Store manager Richard Lam said: "We are the only chopsticks boutique in the United States and business has been really good.

"We're currently waiting for our latest designs to arrive."

As well as doing his annual house cleaning (a Chinese New Year tradition), Lam is busy sprucing up the store to attract as many customers as he can over the holidays.

"I won't have time for a holiday myself. Like most shops in Chinatown, we'll be open all the time."

But Chinatown is not the only area of New York that is ready for the arrival of the Ox.

On Friday, China's Deputy Consul-General Dong Xiaojun was guest of honor at the switching on of the red and gold lights that adorn the Empire State Building.

The tradition of lighting up the famous skyscraper for the Lunar New Year began in 2000, and this year is particularly special as 2009 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-US diplomatic relations.

Over on America's west coast, Chu Yanjing, a student at California State University, is looking forward to spending the festive season with her family and friends.

"There will be family gatherings and lots of firecrackers," she said.

"I'm looking forward to celebrating the holiday by making dumplings with my friends."

California has a thriving Chinese community, but these days, lots of local people also like to get involved in the New Year celebrations, Chu said.

"They're really interested in Chinese culture and all the traditions," she said.

In San Jose, California, Mike Duan, a 16-year-old junior high school student, said he is looking forward to the annual family feast.

"We do it every year," he said, adding that he and his family moved to the city more than 10 years ago.

But the real highlight for the teenager is getting gifts.

"I can't wait to open the red envelopes from my parents," he said.