PHOENIX - Some might call it the December Debate -- do you greet people with “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays"?

A Valley woman, who’s also a bell ringer for the Salvation Army, says she was assaulted for choosing the wrong one.

Kristina Vindiola says a woman hit her outside the Wal-Mart on 91st Avenue and Thomas Road after she said "Happy Holidays."

"The lady looked at me,” said Vindiola. “I thought she was going to put money in the kettle. She came up to me and said, 'Do you believe in God?' And she says, ‘You're supposed to say Merry Christmas,' and that's when she hit me."

Vindiola says the woman hit her in the arm and then went inside the store. She told a manager who then called police. Shoppers we spoke with understand how some people can get offended.