The battle for your toy dollar is on! Toys "R" Us is opening hundreds of new seasonal stores on a temporary basis to ratchet up the competition against Wal-Mart, Target and the warehouse clubs.

Almost 350 "pop-ups," as they're called in the industry lingo, will be opened nationwide for business from October-January. These locations will be marketed under the Holiday Express name to avoid any confusion with the Toys "R" Us brand name.

The Holiday Express business model is a smart one at this point in the recession. After all, some estimates suggest 10 percent of all retail space is vacant and workers are in plentiful abundance to staff the stores.

Yet if you've had a rough year financially, you shouldn't feel guilted into buying gifts for children this season. When Clark was growing up, most children would receive just one gift. The notion of giving piles and piles of gifts and toys is a very modern one.

The penny-pincher recalls when his 4-year-old son was given too many gifts two years ago. He wound up being more interested in playing with Tupperware because it really stimulated his imagination and motor skills. The boy didn't need an official toy to engage in play!

Remember, your kids don't love you based on what material goods you give them; they love you based on how much of your heart you share.