var hammertime = $(".toucharea").hammer();

// the whole area
hammertime.on("touch", function(ev) {
  $(this).highlight();
});

// on elements in the toucharea, with a stopPropagation
hammertime.on("touch", "li", function(ev) {
  $(this).highlight();
  ev.stopPropagation();
});

// on dynamic items
$("#add-list-item").on("touch", function(ev) {
  $("#items").append("<li>Dynamic added listitem</li>");
  ev.gesture.preventDefault();
  ev.stopPropagation();
});

// simple helper function
$.fn.highlight = function(options) {
  options = $.extend({},{
    className: 'highlight',
    delay: 100
  }, options);
    
  return this.each(function(){
    (function(elem, cName, time){
      setTimeout(function() {
        elem.removeClass(cName);
      }, time);
      elem.addClass(cName);
    })($(this), options.className, options.delay);
  });
}