Did you know that, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF), 40% of Americans start holiday shopping before Halloween, and 51.4% start by mid-November? Putting off Christmas shopping too long leads to lackluster gifts, marked up prices, and crowds of rushed, stressed out shoppers. Simple Christmas shopping tips can help you stick to a budget, and keep you out of packed stores. Start Early, and Take Advantage of Seasonal Sales As of 2012, Americans spend an average of $750 on Christmas and holiday gifts, according to the NRF. Curb holiday shopping costs by starting early, and making the most of…